Funding Cuts Force Changes to Leisure Opening Hours
Lakes Leisure, the charity which operates two leisure centres and an outdoor water-sports facility in South Lakeland confirmed it is changing its hours of operation from 1 April 2012 following decisions by South Lakeland District Council and Cumbria County Council to fully implement additional annual funding cuts of £170,000 and £268,000 respectively by April 2013. South Lakeland District Council reduced its community partnership funding by an initial £96,000 per annum from April 2011.
The charity has been consulting with its 72 strong workforce about possible redundancies in a bid to reduce costs and save frontline services. This is the second round of cost saving measures to take place following changes to opening hours in April 2011 and the decision at the end of the summer to run the Windermere water-sports facility on a seasonal basis only.
The restructure is expected to affect up to 12 posts although it is hoped that through natural waste and voluntary redundancy, the number of compulsory redundancies will be reduced.
Chief Executive Dave Ronald said, "Sadly we have to take these measures now to protect services like public swimming and community outreach. We are still very much open for business and aim to remain so for the foreseeable future. Changes to timetables will take effect from April 2012 and we are giving our customers as much notice as possible.”
The changes to opening times will principally affect the pool and gym at Kendal and the pool, outdoor complex and tennis centre at Ulverston.
Please click here to download the new Kendal swimming timetable
Please click here to download the new Ulverston swimming & opening times