Oldham Town Centre “Flagship” Leisure Centre, flagship in Oldham obviously means less

Plans have been revealed for the new Oldham Town Centre so called “Flagship” Leisure Centre. Flagship in Oldham obviously means less facilitation for sports participation for the people of Oldham and more spectator seating so that Oldham Council can use the facility to generate income from hosting competitive events and TV broadcasts. The current leisure facility is located in the middle of the traditional retail Town Centre opposite Tommyfield market. The new facility will be built opposite Oldham College located outside the traditional retail Town Centre. Upon completion of the new facility, struggling Town Centre businesses will lose the footfall business from leisure centre patrons who will no longer need to travel into the Town Centre. This relocation is not about the people of Oldham but about the Metrolink/regeneration corridor consisting of the Civic Centre, Hotel Future, leisure centre and educational campuses. Why would Oldham Council commission a leisure centre at one of the busiest and consequently polluted multiple main road junctions in the area other than because it serves the councils requirements. Competitive sports at the leisure centre will mean athletes, TV crews and celebrities staying at Hotel Future before travelling down King St and Union St to the Gallery & Coliseum Theatre thus avoiding the real Town Centre with its pound shops, bookies, cheap clothing shops and junk food outlets.

When the Oldham facility and the planned new one in Royton open at least four current leisure centres will close including the current Royton and Oldham Town Centre leisure facilities along with Glodwick Pool & Gym and Crompton Pool (Shaw baths).

Released on the same day as the new sports centre plans was the Ukactive report showing physical inactivity rates for UK adults with Oldham occupying a top 10 position. Oldham Council and partners once again put plans in place that serve the boroughs bank balance more than the people of Oldham. The current Councils core voters & circumstances of poverty & ill health will continue to self-perpetuate under such deliberate policies. Oldham is now officially the fattest borough in Greater Manchester (source Public Health England 2014)


Current Facilities

Main pool (33.3-metre)
Learner pool (12.5m by 9m)
Dive pool (12.5m by 12.5m)
Sauna and steam rooms
Power showers and rest area
8 court sports hall
Combat room
Indoor climbing wall
63 station fitness studio
Spinning classes in multi-use hall
Indoor bowls hall (four lanes)
2 squash courts
meeting / training room
Cafe


 

New Facilities

new Oldham sports centre

New Oldham Town Centre leisure facility

Main pool (25-metre)
Learner pool (unspecified)
No dive Pool
Sauna and steam room;
Wet changing village;
8 court sports hall including flexible seating for 250
No combat room
No indoor climbing wall
80-station fitness studio
Spinning studio;
Indoor bowls hall (four lanes)
Two group exercise studios;
Separate changing facilities for dry sports and fitness
Cafe
Spectator seating gallery at the main pool, providing 250 seats & 150 competitor seats.