Three leisure centres to shut as finances 'ravaged'

THREE of a borough's leisure centres are to close within months after the trust which runs them says its finances have been 'ravaged'.

- CHARLOTTE GREEN

Active Tameside, which operates all the area's swimming pools and leisure centres, yesterday announced the closure of three of its sites as it tries to remain viable.

The trust, which is a registered charity, has confirmed that Active Ashton, Adventure Longdendale and Active Etherow will shut in early September.

Active Ashton has two swimming pools and a gym, Adventure Longdendale contains a trampoline park, laser zone and soft play area for children, and Active Etherow is the trust's dedicated indoor bowling centre. In a statement, a spokesperson for Active Tameside said that the huge increase in energy bills has taken the cost of utilities at its sites up to £2 million a year. The situation has been further exacerbated by price rises for products such as chemicals, insurance and the cost of staff.