COMMUNITY chiefs have formally backed proposals for a new £13 million sports hub for Ulverston - an opportunity they described as 'rare' and 'better than Christmas'.
Moves to construct a new state of the art development on the site of the aging leisure centre in the town's Priory Road are now set to progress to the next stage of the process after gaining initial approval today.
Members of South Lakeland District Council's cabinet committee voted to enter detailed discussions over finance for the scheme as well as to launch a public consultation to consider the types of facilities that could be located on site.
RELATED ARTICLE: Multi-million leisure centre plan for Ulverston revealed
RELATED ARTICLE: Chance to take up tennis in Ulverston this summer
A feasibility study on the possible new centre, unveiled last week, states a mix of a six lane, 25 metre swimming pool, studio and gym space, indoor and outdoor courts, bowling green and real and artificial surface pitches is the most likely combination to become self-sustaining in the future.
Ulverston Town Council mayor, Councillor Mark Wilson, who is also an SLDC representative, said: "This is a fabulous opportunity that is undoubtedly better than Christmas.
"It will also prove to be a wonderful legacy project benefitting people of all ages in our area for at least 30 years."
Council officials are now to commence more detailed discussions with development partners GSK and North Country Leisure, the organisation that runs leisure centres on behalf of SLDC, over when to begin a public consultation in the town.
They will also investigate options to fund the construction of the new centre - with contributions set to come from both SLDC and global pharmaceutical giant GSK as it looks to replace its own on-site sports hall as part of its ongoing biopharmaceutical development.
Pat McIver, GSK project director, said: "We are very proud of the contribution that GSK makes to sports in Ulverston and we want to help ensure that our existing sports club users and the wider community have access to good quality facilities well into the future.
"We have a clear commitment to replace the existing GSK sports club when we need to make way for a second phase of development of the new factory.
"The Ulverston leisure site masterplan commissioned by SLDC suggests that it is worth considering a new, combined leisure facility for the town."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here