New Appleton leisure centre forming part of ‘options analysis’

As reported in January last year, Warrington missed out on receiving money for a £47 million package of projects after bidding for the Government's levelling up funding.

Among the £47 million bid were plans to transform Broomfields Leisure Centre in Appleton and to provide a hub for disabled sport at Victoria Park.

The council says there is ‘no further update’ on either of these two projects.

A spokesman said: “If the levelling up funding became available it would be our intention to bid for the funding.

“We are looking at options on how improvements can be made to the Broomfields Leisure Centre. Further information will be available in due course.”

In addition, when asked if, in the long term, the council would like to build a new leisure centre in Appleton, or make major improvements to the current site, the spokesman said ‘this is forming part of the options analysis’.

Warrington South Conservative MP Andy Carter has shared his views.

He said: “Labour councillors have missed opportunities to make improvements to the Broomfield Leisure Centre time and time again.

“They’ve borrowed £1.8 billion to invest in projects which haven’t delivered a substantial return to the people of Warrington, like an energy company which went bust, offices in Birmingham and Manchester and supermarkets in Salford, instead of using the Public Works Loan Board to fund capital projects in the town, like leisure centres which would have a double benefit of improving health outcomes locally too.

“I’m continuing to lobby ministers for further levelling up funding but there are also other options to be considered given the approval of the Local Plan in December, and the potential for a new site at the new local centre which will support the 4,500 additional homes in South East Warrington. Improvements are long overdue, there should be a safe, modern and functional leisure centre to enjoy in south Warrington.”