Rossendale’s Whitworth swimming pool to reopen in August

A community-run swimming pool in Rossendale which was threatened with closure last year is due to reopen to the public in August.

Whitworth Leisure Centre was transferred from Rossendale Council’s ownership to a not-for-profit community interest company last year.

The centre, which dates from the 1970s and includes a pool and gym facilities, serves communities around Whitworth and including schools.

In recent years, it had been operated by Rossendale Leisure Trust, the arms-length charity organisation which runs other council owned centres. Before the covid pandemic, it was run by the Community Leisure Association of Whitworth (CLAW). Repair and maintenance issues and costs were raised at various Rossndale Council meetings in recent years leading up to the transfer.

The latest full meeting of Rossendale Council had an update from Coun Alan Neal from the Community First group of councillors.

He said: “Work has been happening at Whitworth leisure Centre. The swimming pool has been refilled and it is not leaking. The hope is to reopen at the end of August.

“I want to thank everyone involved including Rossendale Council and the Whitworth community interest company. It’s a credit to the hard work by everyone.”

Rossendale Borough Council closed Whitworth Leisure Centre last summer which led to protests from residents. After months of campaigning, the Whitworth Leisure Centre Community Interest Company was formed and took over the running of the centre. Whitworth Town Council has played a role.

Since getting the keys to the venue in December, the volunteer-led Whitworth group has been working on bringing the John Street site back to life. A crowd-funder was launched to raise cash.

The change in ownership came after Rossendale Council announced plans to close the Whitworth centre following a finance report by independent advisers Grant Thornton. The report said quick action was needed to address a budget deficit or both the borough council and Rossendale Leisure Trust could be at significant financial risk.

But the closure plan sparked protests and a campaign was launched to find ways to keep it open. Campaigners said the pool was used by young and old around the Whitworth area, including school children’s swimming lessons, and vital for people’s health and social opportunities. They also spoke at a Rossendale Council meeting last summer and grilled councillors.

Factors including council funding cuts, an alleged lack of public consultation about Whitworth and concerns about the apparent rapid expansion of Rossendale Leisure Trust in recent years were part of the debate.

Rossendale Council and Rossendale Leisure Trust said rising inflation and leisure centre operating costs forced them to act, to ensure both organisations could continue to operate They said the cost-of-living crisis has seen councils across the UK face inflation pressures and rising demand on services.