Manchester City Council looks set to follow an invest to save rationale to meet its spending cut targets, by closing three ageing facilities and developing two new ones.

A report has recommended the development of new leisure and library services at Levenshulme and a leisure facility at Hough End. The £18m needed for the developments would be funded mainly from the capital fund, with some money coming from borrowing and capital receipts.

The ongoing cost of the centres would be much less. Over the projected 30 year lifespan of the facilities, the council will generate a cumulative £29m of revenue saving, in addition to ongoing maintenance savings.

Councillor Rosa Battle, executive member for Culture and Leisure, says: “We want to deliver the best possible leisure facilities at Hough End and Levenshulme, which meet the requirements of the communities they will serve. These proposed improvements are based on what residents have said they need during consultation. We are listening. The enhancements will also ensure the long term viability of these centres by increasing their visitor numbers and income. By investing more upfront in them now, we can make sure they are self-sustaining and do not require year on year council subsidy, saving £30m over the life of the two buildings, while significantly improving facilities.”

Manchester City Council is also about to celebrate the topping out of a third new leisure centre at Beswick. A joint regeneration project between the council, regeneration company, New East Manchester and Manchester City Football Club, this will include a leisure centre, swimming pool and sports research centre.