People win the day over leisure centre entrance (From This Is Lancashire)

People win the day over leisure centre entrance

4:06pm Wednesday 8th August 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

THE grand porchway at Darwen Leisure Centre has been saved by people power.

The 1933 portico will be moved but will act as a pedestrian entrance at the side of the new £12.7million building in Green Street.

When revised plans for the leisure centre were announced on July 9, Blackburn with Darwen Council gave people the choice between either spending £150,000 on retaining the portico or investing in leisure centre equipment.

But the council's ruling coalition, which scrapped the previous Labour administration's split site scheme, said residents and interested parties had made clear what they wanted.

Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture, said: "Although English Heritage confirmed that the leisure centre was not to be listed, the council was aware that there was local interest in retaining some element of the old building and the portico has been included in the new designs."

Protesters fought to keep the entire frontage, which includes stained glass windows but officials said it could not be saved because of its poor condition.

Marilyn Bysh, secretary of Darwen Civic Society, said although the civic society was not happy about losing the facade they were relieved a part of the old leisure centre - which was opened by Prince George - would be protected.

She said: "Speaking for the civic society I do think it's worth the money, we are going to have lots of new equipment anyway, and people that I've spoken to definitely want to keep it. We were worried when we though the whole lot was going to go and we would have nothing left of the old leisure centre.

"This is a compromise, we'd still like the whole frontage but I don't see how we can save it."

Coun Simon Huggill, who led the battle to keep the frontage, previously said he too thought it was worth the money: "I think £150,000 is absolutely peanuts if it costs £12million to build," he said.

The first public meeting is being held to discuss plans for the new leisure centre on August 15 at Darwen Library Theatre. Residents and users are invited to attend and receive an update on the new proposals, which will include facilities on two floors on the existing site, between 6pm and 7pm.

• Print
• Email
• Share