HYNDBURN Leisure Centre is celebrating its 40th year by converting half of its sports hall into a soft play area.

The sports facility in Henry Street is set to undergo the changes to help make the centre more financially sustainable in line with government cuts.

Work on the change of use will begin in February, with Hyndburn Leisure Trust hoping the work will be completed by April.

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Steve Tanti, Hyndburn Leisure chief executive, said the work will play a big part in the future for the centre.

He said: “40 years ago when it opened the leisure centre was one of the biggest in the North West and at that time it had state of the art facilities.

“Now numerous similar facilities are available across Hyndburn, most secondary schools have large sports halls which are available for community use.

“Provision has changed quite dramatically over recent years. There is a demand for this type of soft play equipment, similar facilities are always very busy and it offers a great activities for young children to take part in.

“It’s going to be a big year, and these plans will be a big part of this.”

The area will be safely sectioned off when the work is taking place to make sure the remaining sports hall facilities remain open during construction.

Originally Hyndburn Sports Centre was one of only eight court sports halls in Lancashire when it opened in 1977.

It will now look to accommodate the majority of current use in the four remaining sports hall courts.

Additional capacity is also available in the way of two courts in the table tennis centre. Hyndburn Leisure said the changes are also taking place to help make the facility as ‘sustainable’ as possible as it aims to accommodate government funding cuts.

Mr Tanti said: “All public organisation are having to face these cuts, if you look at the libraries, that is case in point.

“It’s about trying to provide a level of facilities that is most sustainable going forward that is the challenge everyone is facing.”

The work comes as the Hyndburn Leisure Centre swimming pool is currently closed for major refurbishment to modernise facilities and make it more efficient and cost effective, which should be finished early this year.

Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said: “The trust is looking to make sure the facilities they provide are what the paying public want.

“There is a market for these sort of soft play areas as they allow children to explore a safe and adventurous leisure environment.”