Ambitious improvements will be carried out at Cleator Moor’s leisure centre, if plans are given the green light by the Government.
Detailed proposals have been developed for the popular venue, that would see upgrades carried out to facilities.
Potential enhancements include the creation of sports courts, enhanced gym facilities, a spin studio, group exercise studio and a cafe.
There will be work to ensure a focus is placed on young people and under-represented groups such as women and people with disabilities.
The upgrade is expected to create upwards of 100,000 additional visits to the centre every year.
Working with Copeland Borough Council, the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board secured an offer of £22.5 million from the Government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund initiative last summer.
Four projects have now reached the crucial business case assurance stage, meaning detailed plans have been submitted for internal assessment ahead of final submission to the government later this year.
The Activity Centre plans for part of Healthy Town, a project that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Cleator Moor residents, aims to improve perceptions of the town, attract visitors and promote social inclusion.
Bob Metcalfe, chair of Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, said: “Healthy Town is a fantastic project and I know many people will be very excited by the proposals.
“Cleator Moor needs and deserves a facility of this nature. We know there is a demand, based on an oversubscription of similar facilities nearby, and we know there is a need given some of the health challenges residents of the town face.
“Our town has a very long and proud sporting history which we hope to build on with the creation of these new facilities.
“As a board, we have been delighted to work alongside Copeland Borough Council and our key partners to develop a plan which we believe is sustainable and will have a positive impact on the community.”
The Activity Centre’s current focus is on indoor bowls, with a small gym also attracting some users.
Under the plans, it will become a multi-purpose centre, delivering a much broader programme of sports, physical activity and wider health and wellbeing services, including skills training opportunities.
The delivery of skills and employability sessions along with a volunteering programme and academy programmes to help people upskill or prepare for employment also form part of the proposals.
The project also includes accommodation for Copeland Occupational and Social Centre, known as COSC – a day centre for individuals with physical disabilities – within the facility.
Three other projects form a part of the Town Deal Process. They are:
- Enterprising Town – the redevelopment of the existing Leconfield Industrial Estate to provide employment and training opportunities for residents in Cleator Moor as well as helping to diversify the local economy. The proposal would create new buildings on site including an Enterprise Campus Hub, the refurbishment of existing units and extensive landscaping.
- Revitalised Town – to increase activity and footfall around the Town Square by bringing vacant and under-utilised buildings back into active use while creating an attractive new public realm. Uses will include a new cultural community hub and enhanced business space.
- Connected Town – this scheme will deliver a high-quality integrated and sustainable transport network which improves connections between employment, education, amenities and leisure and transforms the accessibility and attractiveness of Cleator Moor.
Further details for each of the projects will be made available after the assurance stage is complete when people will be able to comment on the proposals before submission to Government later this year.
