State of the art leisure plans will transform town (From Warrington Guardian)

State of the art leisure plans will transform town

WINSFORD residents are being encouraged to give their support to a scheme that many believe will transform leisure facilities in the town.

Plans to relocate the civic hall to a new facility at Winsford Sports Complex, which would also see the swimming pool replaced, will be discussed by borough council bosses this week.

Town and borough councillor Malcolm Gaskill is hopeful the proposals will become a reality.

He said: "This is an £8million project and something that we desperately need in Winsford and I'm hoping it will get the go ahead.

"The civic hall is too big for Winsford, the swimming pool was designed in the 1960s and has been closed twice in four years for repairs and I think it is quiet dire."

Vale Royal Borough Council is also considering the possibility of keeping the civic hall at its existing site.

Clr Gaskill said: "Unless the Rolling Stones decide to play Winsford we don't need the civic hall to be as big as it is - there is nothing more disheartening than playing to a half empty hall.

"With this proposal we will be getting a purpose built, state of the art venue."

The plans to move the civic hall have been criticised by some councillors who believe it should remain at its current location.

Borough councillor John Grimshaw said: "This is a multi-million-pound investment into Winsford and I'm sure if we offered this to another town in the area they would be jumping for joy.

"The public will have the opportunity to have their say on this but I can't see any possible reason why anyone would not want to see this happen."

Clr Gaskill said: "The civic hall will remain open until the new facility is ready and I can't understand why any councillors would be against something like this."