West View Leisure Centre Faces Closure - Yet Petition May Prevent

As long as I can remember this gem of a building has been helping local people with their health and fitness. Providing  an excellent source of escapism after a busy day at work or at weekends swimming with your children. 

 

I am of course referring to West View Leisure Centre. Sadly however, it’s been met with potential jeopardy following this years pandemic it may mean absolute closure for the beloved facility. 

 

Locals though have supported this news with a staggering 1,500 signed petition calling for the operators of West View Leisure Centre to re-open the centre.

 

Luke Parkinson, who says he is running as an independent MP for Preston in 2024, is one of those trying to save West View, in Ribbleton Lane, from permanent closure. He spoke about the importance of the leisure centre, 

 

“Preston City Council sold this leisure centre to Better leisure as part of cost-cutting and in my opinion, it has been run down ever since and in these uncertain times with Covid 19 where people need somewhere to go that is good for your health, affordable and accessible for everyone.

 

Luke has sent numerous letters to Preston City Council and GLL that run the centre and is awaiting a response.

 

Minimal support has been raised from local councillors or Mps following the news, just a mere headline on a few local tabloids. 

 

A teacher in the community signed the petition and has since expressed their concerns,

 

“School swimming is also affected, and it is a national curriculum requirement to allow swimming in Key Stage 2 with an expectation that children leave primary school being able to swim 25 metres. How are any schools that used this pool to be able to achieve this?”

 

It would be a great loss to the community to loose such a facility especially since it has recently undergone a £500,000 refurbishment in order to improve the layout of the changing rooms, studio, gym and new equipment. 

 

West View was transferred to Greenwich Leisure Limited in May 2017. Prior to this transfer the city council was paying fees of £2.4 million to cover costs. In response to this the council had considered closing either West View or Fulwood to save money.

 

These concluding words from Preston City Council’s cabinet member for leisure and culture, councillor Peter Kelly reveal his frustration in not seeing a solution to this story, 

 

“We are in continued dialogue with GLL and look forward to solutions being found in order to reopen this valuable community asset.” 

 

More than 1,500 people have signed a petition calling for the operators of West View Leisure Centre to re-open the centre.

 

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger