Old sports centre faces demolition

CONTAMINATED . . . the sports centre and pool could be demolished after thieves disturbed asbestos

Copper piping thieves spark asbestos alert

DEMOLITION looms for the old Chadderton Sports Centre after thieves disturbed asbestos when they stole copper piping.

Members of Chadderton Historical Society say they are fuming about the break-in which they claim was inevitable.

Intruders cut out the piping, which was encased in insulation pipes containing asbestos, in the early hours of February 21.

The piping was dragged through the building and lifted out of a ground-floor window causing asbestos fibres to circulate through the sports centre and the adjoining former swimming pool.

The site has now been secured with steel sheeting with warning signs and a 24-hour guard in place.

The estimated cost of making the building safe is £150,000 meaning demolition is the likely option.

Michael Lawson, secretary of Chadderton Historical Society, said: “We are absolutely fuming. We knew this would happen once the building was vacated.

“It will be a great shame if the buildings are demolished as they are part of the history and heritage of Chadderton.

“The people of Chadderton will be very angry if these buildings are destroyed and we would worry about what will be built to replace them.”

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “We are currently in the process of marketing the building as part of a wider development proposal including the former library and police station but are now considering excluding the sports centre and pool building from that and applying for planning permission to demolish them.

“It is regrettable we have to consider demolition and I sympathise with those local citizens who will feel saddened by this news. However, we must balance the health-and-safety risks to the public against the limited heritage element of the building.

“The selfish actions of thieves have forced us into a situation whereby we have to act now to manage what is a very serious scenario.”

The old swimming pool, which has an iconic art deco entrance, closed in 2006 and the sports centre in 2009 to be replaced by the brand new Chadderton Wellbeing Centre in Burnley Street.

Mr Lawson said: “The wellbeing centre took 18 months to build so I want to know why the old sports centre and pool were not being marketed then. Why wait until they are closed — it just doesn’t make any sense.

“Putting security up at the site now is all well and good but its too little too late. You have to wonder why this borough is so poor at protecting its heritage.

“These buildings aren’t the first — we’ve seen this happen with Radclyffe School, Eustace Street School and Broadway Library.

“Local people cherish these buildings and want to see them protected. We don’t want to see them stood empty and deteriorating.”




DID you see any suspicious behaviour near the site on February 21? Call police on 0161-872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.