A council deputy leader has cited public unrest fears over ongoing concerns over the future of a borough's leisure centres.
Under levelling-up funding, Nelson Wavelengths Centre has been allocated £1.7 million, but a review of Pendle's two other hubs - Pendle Leisure Centre in Colne and West Craven Leisure Centre is still ongoing.
The annual energy bill for all three is said to be £1.8m.
Phillip Spurr, a council director, said leisure centres are costing tens of millions of pounds, an ‘eye-watering amount’, and the authority faces financial challenges and rising costs, so has to consider options for the future.
The borough's Labour-Lib-Dem shared leadership wants to keep all three borough leisure centres open and consultations are ongoing.
Pendle Leisure Trust runs the centres on the council’s behalf.
Stephen Barnes, Nelson Town Board’s independent chair and former Pendle Council chief executive, said: “I think £1.7m was set aside for enhancements.
"Is it possible to bring forward a project for Wavelengths that could be consistent with that review?”
Cllr David Whipp, borough deputy leader, said: "I would say do we really want a riot?
"We can go to Toxteth in the 1980s our our area in the Noughties. Every 20 years there are riots.
"If there’s a suggestion facilities in Nelson get a ring-iron around them and facilities in Colne and West Craven face the axe then we will be really throwing a match onto a tinderbox.
“I am putting on my community safety ‘hat’ and cautioning against resources being funnelled into one particular part of Pendle.
"I think that causes a huge undermining of community cohesion as a whole.”
He also cautioned against another facility being opened in Nelson after the authority's failed Urban Altitude high ropes venture in Colne.
He added: ” “It’s clear the £1.7m has to be invested. The council’s joint administration is looking at every possible way to keep all facilities going. A lot depends on external funding.”
Labour's Cllr Mohammed Iqbal said: “I agree with what David says, regarding pitting Nelson, Colne and Barnoldswick against each other. However the blame lies elsewhere.
“Nelson Town Deal Board was set-up in the name of Nelson. I think it would be remiss of the board to try to address this politically.
"The blame lies elsewhere and I think we are all sensible people.”
Council Labour leader Cllr Asjad Mahmood said: “This is government funding for the Nelson Town Deal."
He urged councillors to make progress as they focused on exploring options for all three sites.
Conservative Cllr Nadeem Ahmed said: “Allocation has always been allocated on deprivation needs. It would be unfair to say why hasn’t Barrowford or elsewhere had money?
"That’s how the government distributes money.”
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