Multi-million pound boost for Salford leisure centres

Proposals by Salford Community Leisure (SCL) and Sport England will see more than £31million of investment in sporting facilities in Salford, Greater Manchester, over the next decade.

SCL, which operates leisure facilities on behalf of Salford City Council, with Sport England have been working together looking at how the northwest of England area will cope with population increases and more demand on leisure facilities.

Proposals will see Worsley and Eccles leisure centres receive £3m worth of upgrades with new fitness suites and studio spaces being created.

Ordsall and Langworthy leisure centres could be combined on a new site to create a £15m complex.

Broughton Leisure Centre would be upgraded with £5m and a new £12m facility would be built in Swinton to replace Swinton and Pendlebury Leisure Centre. 

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “We are not standing still and want to make sure that we have the best facilities possible for the people of Salford. It has taken two years to get to this stage so far.

“Physical inactivity costs the city £5.4m in health costs a year. And evidence shows that active people are less likely to suffer from heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes and may live five years longer. We need good facilities in accessible locations, on key public transport routes, as it encourages people to exercise.”

Steve Hassall, SCL chief executive, said: “This vital investment is fantastic news. We’re committed to enhancing the lives of people in Salford through sport opportunities, so we’ve worked hard to secure this funding as we understand the importance of improving sports facilities in the city. It will enable us to deliver quality services in state of the art facilities for both current members and enable the next generation to discover the many benefits of sport participation.”

Funding for the projects would come from capital budgets and grants.