Trafford Council’s Executive is to discuss plans for the transfer of a leisure centre to a community group.
Councillors will meet on Monday to look at proposals to progress with the process of a proposed Community Asset Transfer for the George H Carnall Leisure Centre in Urmston.
If the plans are approved, the formal process of the Community Asset Transfer will commence with a further report going back to Trafford Council’s Executive in the next six months to decide if the management and responsibility of the centre will be given to the George Carnall Community Group.
The centre, which is currently run by Trafford Leisure, was due to close next month when the nearby Urmston Leisure Centre’s £7m refurbishment had been completed. But the authority considered alternative options after a public consultation revealed residents were unanimously in support of keeping the centre open for the public.
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, said:
Trafford Council has listened very carefully to the community on the situation with George H Carnall. Local people told us in no uncertain terms that they wanted to keep the centre open and that is what we are working towards, but as a community run facility that works alongside Trafford Leisure and the Council.
Trafford Council has made the health and wellbeing of our residents a major priority and that is exactly why we have invested £7m into the refurbishment of Urmston Leisure Centre and why we are planning new leisure centres for Stretford and Altrincham. Everybody has worked really hard and we are committed to working positively with the community. If the Community Asset Transfer is approved for George H Carnall, the community will be able to shape its future and open it to the public. ”
If the Executive back the plans, the centre will be funded by the Council and managed by Trafford Leisure during a transition period from April 1 to September 30, 2020.
The Executive will be asked to approve the Community Asset Transfer in principle and agree to the funding costs of the centre during the transition period.
Posted on Tuesday 10th March 2020