Free sport move 'is one of a kind'
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| FREE COURTS: Badminton is one of the sports in the scheme |
FREE leisure facilities in Blackburn and Darwen have been hailed as a "one of a kind" initiative by Sport England.
The borough is the first of the kind to drop charges for sport and exercise.
Sport England awards funds from the National Lottery in a bid to promote community sport to create an active nation.
Stewart Kellett, its North West director, said: "This is great news for the people of Blackburn and Darwen.
"The benefits of sport and physical activity are huge - for health fitness and happiness.
"We applaud the council and the PCT for its significant commitment to, and investment in, the health and well-being of the people who live there."
Currently, for example, it costs £7 per hour to hire a squash court and entry to Daisyfield pool costs £3.15.
Council chief executive Graham Burgess said he was confident the move would not affect the profits of private leisure centres.
Graham Rogers, assistant director at Wigan-based JJB which runs two fitness centres in Blackburn, said: "This is the first we have heard and I don't want to make a knee-jerk reaction.
"Our facilities are of a standard that nobody else for miles around can match and our clients are very discerning.
"If the council wants to do something to promote fitness, that can only be applauded."
Labour leader Kate Hollern said: "I welcome anything that encourages healthy living. I am pleased the government has recognised the importance of improving the borough's health."
Labour MP for Darwen and Rossendale Janet Anderson said: "I imagine this has been made possible by the generous grant the council received from the government."
Lindsay Sutton, from the East Lancashire PCT, said that there are no plans for a similar project throughout the rest of the area.
11:30am Thursday 20th March 2008
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