THE uncertain future of a community leisure centre could be secured thanks to an art auction hoping to raise tens of thousands of pounds.

Dalton Leisure Centre is appealing for the public's help to continue operating after revealing its whole infrastructure is in 'urgent need of repair'.

The centre, which is the only non-profit community run leisure centre in the UK, was built more than 35 years ago and is on it's 'last legs', says Friends of Dalton Leisure Centre member Phil Robinson.

Mr Robinson hopes an art auction fundraiser will provide the much-needed funds to survive.

"We have been hit so hard by the lockdowns and the 35-year-old air handling system is also having its own lockdown and is in urgent need of repair.

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"Money was allocated for that before Covid came along which has been a massive drain on the centre's finances.

"Without replacing the heating system, the centre will not function and would be at danger of closing.

"As a community hub we cant let this happen, so we will be embarking on a major crowdfunding project to raise much-needed monies."

The centre is aiming to raise £20,000 through a buy-a-brick campaign and also through auctioning off dozens of unique artwork from talented national and international artists.

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Among those is Dalton artist, Sharon Tait, who transformed the walls of the leisure centre with her collection of murals and is encouraging others to donate their artwork to the cause.

She said: "Since putting out the call the arts community has taken this project to their hearts.

"So far I have had over 50 pieces of artwork - comic art, books, graphic novels and original comic art.

"We have work that is local, national and international.

"The range of work is mind-blowing from: The Walking Dead graphic novel with an original signed sketch by Charlie Adlard, Lord Snooty from Viz, Star Wars original art, Manga, fused glass, paintings, comics, screen prints, Lino and lithography, poetry and books."

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The centre is also hoping to use the funding to develop into an arts and crafts centre focussing on health, exercise and art.

Mr Robinson said: "Everybody knows the mental health issues from lockdown will be considerable.

"Hopefully, arts and crafts will bring people out of this dark corridor.

"Mental health and art all comes together. This is our opportunity to put south Cumbria on the map."

Mr Robinson said the centre will cease to exist without community support and funding.

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"We're just keeping afloat at the moment," he said.

"We need to get this new heating system by the end of the year - there's no leisure centre if not.

"It's a real challenge which hopefully the community can support us in.

"The leisure centre is such a special place because it's not a corporation, it's a community run venue with a community environment.

"I don't think there's a more generous community in the country than our area so we really want to secure our future."

The fundraiser is set to go live on March 1.