Council leaders insist new Kidsgrove Sports Centre 'will happen'

Council leaders say Kidsgrove Sports Centre will be rebuilt

COUNCIL leaders insist a towns leisure centre will be rebuilt despite the fact it could cost the cash-strapped authority 9 million.

Cabinet members at Labour-run Newcastle Borough Council have supported the proposal to replace the aging Kidsgrove Sports Centre.

The authority needs to find nearly 19 million over the next four years simply to fund a basic capital programme, not including major projects.

But cabinet members wholeheartedly backed a report calling for the sports centres replacement, saying the money would be found somehow.

A joint use agreement with Staffordshire County Council, which owns the site, and Clough Hall Technology School, expires in March 2016.

And with the school set to be rebuilt with its own sports provision, concerns have been raised over the future of the sports centre.

But Terry Turner, cabinet member for economic regeneration and ward councillor for Kidsgrove, insisted rebuilding the facility would always be a priority for a Labour-run borough authority.

He said: The people of Kidsgrove deserve this facility. Lets be quite clear, the responsibility to provide swimming facilities is not ours we just maintain it its the responsibility of the county council and the school. They seem to want to walk away from their responsibilities to the people of Kidsgrove in 2016.

If we have to rebuild the centre without assistance, then thats what well do. It isnt going to be easy, and I understand the officers concerns about this. As far as Im concerned this is going to happen.

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Council leaders insist new Kidsgrove Sports Centre 'will happen'