Council approves plans to secure a sustainable, modern leisure offer, support key facilities, invest in upgrades and develop a new borough‑wide vision for physical activity.
Rossendale Borough Council has approved a comprehensive set of recommendations designed to secure a sustainable, modern, and community-focused leisure offer for the borough ahead of Local Government Reorganisation.
The review, carried out by the Council, looked at the portfolio of facilities managed by Rossendale Leisure Trust and considered the options available to protect the facilities for the future.
As part of the decisions made, the Council will invite Whitworth Town Council to bring forward a detailed business plan for the potential transfer of The Ashcroft. The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery will continue under its current arrangements, with support to strengthen its long-term stability.
The Hill ski slope, will remain under the operation of Rossendale Leisure Trust. The Council will work closely with the Trust and the team at The Hill to explore ways to increase revenue, attract more users and make the most of the site throughout the year. A further review will also take place to understand what future investment or alternative options might be possible over the longer term.
Alongside these changes, the Council has committed to progressing major investment across leisure facilities in the Valley. This includes plans to extend the gym and studio offer at Marl Pits, relocate Pioneer to a new purpose-built site, and remodel Adrenaline to improve capacity and customer experience. A new borough-wide vision for physical activity will also be developed, with annual progress reports to keep residents informed.
Councillor Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Borough Council, said: “This is a really positive moment for leisure in Rossendale. We are putting in place a plan that protects what we have, invests where we can, and gives our communities the best chance of enjoying these facilities for years to come.”
“The Hill is a much-loved site, and we want to work with the Leisure Trust and the team there to see how we can bring more people in and make the most of the space. If we want to keep unique facilities like this in Rossendale, we all have a part to play. The more people who get involved, the stronger our leisure offer will be.”
“This review has helped us prepare for the new Council structure changes ahead, and has given us a strong foundation for providing a sustainable leisure offer for the borough.”