By SUZANNE ELSWORTH

AN Appleton man has revealed his dream to put Warrington on the sporting map.

Dr Michael Madden, of Barley Castle Lane, says he feels that facilities in the town need to be given a major boost before it will ever be considered for city status. As reported in the GUARDIAN, Warrington failed in its bid to become City for Peace at the end of last year.

Dr Madden feels that land at the former Stretton airfield would provide an ideal setting for a top-class facility to be used for national and international competitions.

"Warrington lacks most of the major facilities normally regarded as supporting city rather than town status, such as a university, cathedral, large theatre or major art gallery," said Dr Madden.

And he says that as well as providing the town with a top-class sports complex, his proposals will also give south Warrington some much-needed sporting facilities.

"Warrington north and central have a reasonably good provision of health and leisure facilities, however Warrington south has only the partly public centres at Broomfields and Lymm," he said.

"Having lived and worked in Warrington for 25 years, I am well aware of how the infrastructure problems have developed. The town has seen considerable population growth brought about by large building programmes, without adequate attention to the supporting infrastructure. Major cultural, academic, religious and sports facilities have been largely overlooked.

"There is one exception, the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Young People's Centre, which is clearly a major asset to Warrington."

Dr Madden farmed land close to Barleycastle Industrial Estate and he would now like to see the brownfield site put to good use. Dr Madden's dream includes an Olympic-size swimming pool, athletics track and arena for field events, tennis, squash and badminton courts, a gymnasium and beauty complex. The plans also have car parking for 400 cars.

"If adopted, the scheme would provide employment and significantly boost tourism," he added.

"Detailed financial plans for the scheme cannot be formulated until the degree of support for the concept has been determined."

He suggests that cash may be forthcoming from the National Lottery, borough council, businesses and sports organisations.

Dr Madden is asking for the public's views on his proposals. Write to him at Oaklegh Lodge Farm, Barleycastle Lane, Appleton, WA4 4RG, or log on to the GUARDIAN website at www.thisiswarrington.co.uk