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Council chiefs in Wigan have welcomed the publication of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s (WLCT) annual report, saying it vindicates their decision three years ago to set up a charitable organisation to manage the area’s parks, sports centres, libraries and leisure services.
"At the time, our decision to set up a trust to manage leisure facilities raised some eyebrows,” said council leader Peter Smith. “It was a fairly new direction and has involved a lot of hard work in setting up new systems.
"But I'm delighted to say that this has really paid off. We are seeing a whole host of improvements across the board, including new investment in our libraries, a very successful free swimming scheme for children, and new play areas and fitness centres.
"At the same time the trust is working with the council as a key partner in several major plans that will transform our borough, such as Leigh Sports Village and the regeneration of Wigan Pier.
"At the end of the day all our facilities are still in public ownership, but they are now managed by an organisation that has a strong strategic vision for leisure and an ability to focus on the needs of its customers."
According to the annual report, during 2004/5, WLCT spent £250,000 on a new fitness suite at Hindley Leisure Centre and improvements at Howe Bridge and Robin Park; provided money for new play areas in Standish, Leigh and Stubshaw Cross; and improved drainage for playing fields at Leyland Park, Hindley and Laithwaite Park in Newtown.
The trust has also seen membership of its Freestyle scheme, which offers free swimming to under-16s, reach 20,000.
Photograph: Wigan swimming star Kasha Hampson launches Wigan's free
swimming scheme for under-16s
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