Fundraisers are hoping to reopen a leisure centre that has become the centre of controversy.

Rossendale Borough Council closed Whitworth Leisure Centre back in summer 2023 – which led to fury from residents.

After months of campaigning, the Whitworth Leisure Centre CIC (Community Interest Company) took over the running of Whitworth Leisure Centre.

Since getting the keys in December, the CIC has been working on bringing the John Street site back to life.

A crowdfunder has since been launched as the community group plans to bring the pool back into use. The target is £20,000, with just over £6,000 raised already.

Children’s safety is at the heart of what the group wants to achieve, with some primary schools being unable to travel to other nearby pools for swimming lessons.

Given the town is surrounded by three reservoirs – Craig Dixon, one of the CIC partners, wants to make sure children in the area do not miss out on the chance to learn how to swim, because it could save their life one day.

“There are 12 schools in the area that have had to go elsewhere,” Craig said. “We have three reservoirs within half a mile of us and if kids can’t swim, there is a danger there.

“Some of them (the schools) are having swim lessons at other leisure centres elsewhere. We are trying to contact them to see if they are interested in coming back here (once the pool opens). 

“The school across the road from the leisure centre (Our Lady & St Anselm’s Roman Catholic Primary School) had a quote of around £6,000 for the transport to the next nearest place for swim lessons, which they can’t afford.”

He added that the money will go towards getting the leisure centre up and running, covering costs for the first couple of months as they become self-sufficient. Craig’s concerns about Watergrove, Cown and Spring Mill reservoirs being nearby and some children not learning to swim now is spurring on the team’s efforts to get the pool open again.

According to the JustGiving page set up for the leisure centre, the money will go towards initial repairs, refurbishment and maintenance of the building as well as start-up costs of running the facilities, including insurance, staffing, and uniforms. Any ongoing revenue support will go on until the facility reaches previous profit levels.

To donate to the campaign, visit justgiving.com and search "Whitworth Leisure Centre".