PROPOSALS for detailed work to start on plans for a multi-million pound new leisure centre in Ulverston have received backing from councillors.

South Lakeland District Council’s (SLDC’s) Cabinet received a report on Monday (September 10) outlining the next steps in the ambitious leisure centre scheme.

It includes a further stage of development work to finalise the design, facilities and funding applications and a commitment of £100,000 from the General Reserve to fund the work.

Presenting to cabinet, Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder Councillor Chris Hogg said that it would be a 'huge investment' for the Furness town.

"Ulverston is our second largest town and a key service centre to the surrounding areas," he said. "It's an incredibly important place to South Lakeland.

"I think the prime reason we're doing this is the health and wellbeing of our residents, giving them access to modern leisure facilities. Having a brand new leisure centre is going to be a great opportunity.

"Hopefully it shows our commitment to the town of Ulverston and the residents of Ulverston. We see a significant future for that town."

The plan is to replace the ageing facilities at Priory Road in Ulverston, that are run by leisure provider GLL on behalf of SLDC.

The council and GLL have been developing plans for a new leisure centre and facilities on the site, which were also influenced by GSK’s plans to relocate its sports centre as part of a proposed redevelopment of its site on North Lonsdale Road, Ulverston.

GSK announced in July last year that it had changed its position on the development of the Ulverston site, a decision that also had a significant bearing on the future of the new sports centre project.

Over the past year discussions have continued between the council and GSK to see whether the project could still be progressed and GSK has confirmed it will contribute £2 million to the Ulverston sports centre plans to support improvements in health and wellbeing for the community.

That funding commitment means the overall project remains viable and the next stage of the project can still move forward, although the scale and affordability of the proposal has had to be revised as the projected overall budget has reduced from £12.9 million to £9.2 million.

Finance Portfolio Holder Cllr Andrew Jarvis gave his support to the proposals but did add that it came with risks.

"This a major investment for the council and brings with it some uncertainties," he said. "If this goes ahead the council will be responsible for two thirds of the funding, around £6million. That will involve taking out additional loans but at least for the foreseeable future that is largely funded through savings we would otherwise be making through expenditure on revenue to tackle budgets."

The revised proposals include a brand new sports centre housing a six-lane, 25 metre swimming pool, a sports hall with four indoor courts, a gym, sauna, two muti-use studios and a meeting room, while outside facilities would include a full size hockey pitch, two outdoor tennis courts, bowling green, four grass pitches and a seven-a-side 3G pitch.

It also suggests two indoor tennis courts, a full-size 3G pitch and an outdoor adventure play area are not now included, but that the outdoor tennis courts could be covered by an ‘air hall’, to allow flexible year-round use, and that the full-size 3G pitch could be considered as part of a second phase of improvements.

Cllr Janette Jenkinson, whose ward is in Ulverston West, said that the proposals had not been discussed by Ulverston Town Council for 'a while' but she was 'sure' they would be very supportive. "Ulverston Town Council put in over £10,000 to build the first swimming pool so I'm sure they'll be interested in this," she said. "The area is supposed to grow, we're expecting developments very near to this leisure centre shortly."