COUNCIL chiefs are facing pressure to deliver ‘equality’ to residents by improving the state of Broomfields Leisure Centre following a ‘chronic’ lack of investment.

Broken cubicle doors, inadequate air conditioning and the condition of ceilings at the Appleton site are among the issues that have been raised.

LiveWire runs leisure facilities in Warrington on behalf of the council.

Cllr Sharon Harris (LD – Appleton) said: “I think the state of the building, as well as the infrastructure inside and outside of it, is so dated and in such a poor condition that unless you do something quite dramatic it’s not going to make a huge amount of difference.

“Slapping a bit of paint on is all very well but it doesn’t fix the fact that people are having to accept a lesser standard of facility.”

Cllr Ryan Bate (LD – Grappenhall), who is also the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, took the opportunity to highlight a ‘chronic’ lack of investment in the site.

He said: “Sadly, the people of south Warrington are disappointed because, yet again, they feel because of their postcode they are being let down by their local authority.

“People who are paying their rates just want equality and a little bit of fairness and that is not what they are getting at the moment.”

Labour’s Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid has also been calling for improvements.

Warrington Guardian:

MP Faisal Rashid

“I am optimistic, following conversations with Cllr Tony Higgins and LiveWire, that progress is now being made,” he said.

“However, I will continue to work with both the council and LiveWire to ensure that the much-needed works are brought forward as soon as possible.

“It is only right that residents south of the Ship Canal have the opportunity to enjoy modern facilities.”

Cllr Tony Higgins, the council’s cabinet member for leisure and community, has responded to the comments.

Warrington Guardian:

Cllr Tony Higgins

He said: “It’s important to remember that we have just successfully completed the refurbishment of the Great Sankey Hub, now a nominee for a National Lottery 25th anniversary award.

“I repeat my response to Cllr Harris at the September full council meeting and, say again, that through working with our commissioning officers, building services and LiveWire, I’ve instructed them to establish a proposal for refurbishment.

“I will be expecting an outline plan in place by the end of the year.”