Fears for future of Haslingden swimming pool

11:45am Friday 29th June 2012 in Rossendale

QUESTION marks have re-emerged over the future of Haslingden Baths as part of a major spending review by an East Lancashire authority.

Around £1.3million needs to be saved over the next two years by Rossendale Council.

Between £100,000 and £200,000 of this may come from a review of its working relationship with Rossendale Leisure Trust.

Coun Darryl Smith, the valley’s Conservative leader, has sought reassurances that the Haslingden pool, the subject of a preservation campaign last year, will not be in the firing line.

He told a cabinet meeting: “The figure we are looking at is along the lines of the running costs of the swimming pool.”

But leaders of the Labour-run council have insisted that no decisions have been made on where the axe will fall — and pledged to consult fully on all future options.

Council leader Coun Alyson Barnes said: “I am determined no to pre-empt any consultation process by saying anything about what we expect to happen because I think it would be wrong to do so.

“We are establishing a group of stakeholders around leisure services and I am very keen that they help us to identify these savings.

“I am not prepared to say what would be in or what would be out.”

Coun Andrew MacNae, regeneration cabinet member, said the leisure trust was keen to work with the council as part of the process. Swimming clubs and users have been lobbying to safeguard the pool.

Comments (13)

12:04pm Fri 29 Jun 12

bridgey2000 says...

Here we go - a "by the back door" way of closing Haslingden pool after the investment at Marl Pits rubber stamped by Rawtenstall councillors. I thought that Rossendale councillors were working for the common good of Rossendale - clearly not the case!
Here we go - a "by the back door" way of closing Haslingden pool after the investment at Marl Pits rubber stamped by Rawtenstall councillors. I thought that Rossendale councillors were working for the common good of Rossendale - clearly not the case! bridgey2000

12:44pm Fri 29 Jun 12

mavrick says...

How can the leader of the conservatives in Rossendale, have the bare faced cheek to seek assurances on spending in the borough? To admit to being a Tory in this depression should be a hanging offence. I hgope people will see through the conservative philosophy and reject it for the evil greed that it is.
How can the leader of the conservatives in Rossendale, have the bare faced cheek to seek assurances on spending in the borough? To admit to being a Tory in this depression should be a hanging offence. I hgope people will see through the conservative philosophy and reject it for the evil greed that it is. mavrick

1:19pm Fri 29 Jun 12

HelmshoreBoy says...

I am afraid to say that the eventual demise of Haslingden Baths was always on the agenda once the monies earmarked for its replacement were diverted towards the purchase of the now demolished Valley Centre and with the then already approved investment in Marl Pits facilities.
I am afraid to say that the eventual demise of Haslingden Baths was always on the agenda once the monies earmarked for its replacement were diverted towards the purchase of the now demolished Valley Centre and with the then already approved investment in Marl Pits facilities. HelmshoreBoy

3:42pm Fri 29 Jun 12

mavrick says...

Haslingden sold out again by Tory policies. Ask Jake to explain. I am sure he feels your pain.
Haslingden sold out again by Tory policies. Ask Jake to explain. I am sure he feels your pain. mavrick

4:30pm Fri 29 Jun 12

her from here says...

They didn't care about Bacup Baths built and given to the borough by Sir Henry Maden.
It was always on the cards that Haslingden would go, Marl pits isn't easy to get to for the ones with no car.yet we are encouraged to excercise. Ithink Rossendale has been going backwards for the last 30 years.
They didn't care about Bacup Baths built and given to the borough by Sir Henry Maden. It was always on the cards that Haslingden would go, Marl pits isn't easy to get to for the ones with no car.yet we are encouraged to excercise. Ithink Rossendale has been going backwards for the last 30 years. her from here

7:27am Sat 30 Jun 12

2 for 5p says...

Thats the Len fairclough swimming pool
Thats the Len fairclough swimming pool 2 for 5p

10:18am Sat 30 Jun 12

bluebouy says...

hopefully mr cameron, osbourne and berry will come and run in in their spare time for us
hopefully mr cameron, osbourne and berry will come and run in in their spare time for us bluebouy

12:31pm Sat 30 Jun 12

accy lad and proud says...

2 for 5p wrote:
Thats the Len fairclough swimming pool
I think they should ask for donations from the wealthy to help with the bail out. I also heard Len had deep pockets maybe he would Len-d a hand once again ! "Just a thought"
[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: Thats the Len fairclough swimming pool[/p][/quote]I think they should ask for donations from the wealthy to help with the bail out. I also heard Len had deep pockets maybe he would Len-d a hand once again ! "Just a thought" accy lad and proud

5:49pm Sat 30 Jun 12

Dodgy geeser says...

This was always Alyson Barnes and MacNae plan. Screw the Tory area of Haslingden whilst spending in left wing Rawtenstall.

Spend the pool money on what will be a car park.

Leisures never safe with Labour, they shut the pool in Bacup when last in charge.
This was always Alyson Barnes and MacNae plan. Screw the Tory area of Haslingden whilst spending in left wing Rawtenstall. Spend the pool money on what will be a car park. Leisures never safe with Labour, they shut the pool in Bacup when last in charge. Dodgy geeser

3:26pm Sun 1 Jul 12

pdb951 says...

This is a scandal. The money loaned for swimming facillities diverted to a white elephant and now the threat to the pool. What the hell was the point of the leisure review. You are ignoring another expensive excercise. The whole council should be thrown out and replaced by people who can do the job properly and for the right reasons.
This is a scandal. The money loaned for swimming facillities diverted to a white elephant and now the threat to the pool. What the hell was the point of the leisure review. You are ignoring another expensive excercise. The whole council should be thrown out and replaced by people who can do the job properly and for the right reasons. pdb951

12:01am Mon 2 Jul 12

gazzandste says...

accy lad and proud wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
Thats the Len fairclough swimming pool
I think they should ask for donations from the wealthy to help with the bail out. I also heard Len had deep pockets maybe he would Len-d a hand once again ! "Just a thought"
He died ages ago, Like Rossendale when the tories took control
[quote][p][bold]accy lad and proud[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: Thats the Len fairclough swimming pool[/p][/quote]I think they should ask for donations from the wealthy to help with the bail out. I also heard Len had deep pockets maybe he would Len-d a hand once again ! "Just a thought"[/p][/quote]He died ages ago, Like Rossendale when the tories took control gazzandste

11:05am Mon 2 Jul 12

bluebouy says...

Dodgy geeser wrote:
This was always Alyson Barnes and MacNae plan. Screw the Tory area of Haslingden whilst spending in left wing Rawtenstall.

Spend the pool money on what will be a car park.

Leisures never safe with Labour, they shut the pool in Bacup when last in charge.
didn't the tories sell off the leisure hall in bacup and shut down ski rossy?
[quote][p][bold]Dodgy geeser[/bold] wrote: This was always Alyson Barnes and MacNae plan. Screw the Tory area of Haslingden whilst spending in left wing Rawtenstall. Spend the pool money on what will be a car park. Leisures never safe with Labour, they shut the pool in Bacup when last in charge.[/p][/quote]didn't the tories sell off the leisure hall in bacup and shut down ski rossy? bluebouy

9:07am Tue 3 Jul 12

not taken in Rossendale says...

Dodgy geeser wrote:
This was always Alyson Barnes and MacNae plan. Screw the Tory area of Haslingden whilst spending in left wing Rawtenstall.

Spend the pool money on what will be a car park.

Leisures never safe with Labour, they shut the pool in Bacup when last in charge.
At it again Jason!
[quote][p][bold]Dodgy geeser[/bold] wrote: This was always Alyson Barnes and MacNae plan. Screw the Tory area of Haslingden whilst spending in left wing Rawtenstall. Spend the pool money on what will be a car park. Leisures never safe with Labour, they shut the pool in Bacup when last in charge.[/p][/quote]At it again Jason! not taken in Rossendale

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