Cllr Nick Craker has welcomed the news that Cornwall Council have stepped up and agreed to provide financial support to the GLL operators of Lux Park leisure centre in Liskeard.
Nick Craker said “I’ve been lobbying and campaigning on this since leisure centres were able to reopen over the summer. Liskeard’s swimming pool was unable to re-open because of its smaller size and the Covid restrictions impacting on viability. I’m so pleased the Council have now listened to my pleas to support leisure facilities in Liskeard.”
Cllr Nick Craker raised the Lux Park issue with both Cornwall Council, GLL and local MP Sheryll Murray. Sheryll Murray MP was incredibly helpful and supportive in making the case for Liskeard and other leisure facilities across South East Cornwall, arranging a meeting with Sport Minister Nigel Huddleston MP, GLL and local Councillor Nick Craker in Liskeard.
The welcomed news on the Council’s bailout means that swimming at Lux Park should be able to recommence from 14 October. The Council are also undertaking a strategic review of leisure provision in Cornwall over the next 12 months. One of the issues that seemed to be holding up support for a bailout was the Council’s lack of any leisure strategy, after the Lib Dem – Independent Administration outsourced all the leisure centres back in 2018.
Nick Craker said “It is so important that we have a leisure strategy in Cornwall with the facilities to match. Local leisure centres are vital for residents and families in Liskeard, which is why I have stood up for the health and wellbeing benefits that come with them. In an era of Covid-19, the value of public health has never been more important.”
Local MP Sheryll Murray added, "These swimming pools are so important and I am pleased that the Council has at last agreed to re-open them. If they had fallen into disrepair because of a prolonged closure then reopening them could have become a disaster. Swimming pools are important for people to learn to swim. On a peninsula where we have so many water dangers I see this as being so important. Tourists, which are so important to our economy, also need something to do when it rains and the swimming pool is a massive favourite. They also keep people healthy which contributes to getting people over COVID if they do get it. I think it is essential that we have swimming pools open when it is safe to do so and the government gave Cornwall Council millions of pounds to cover the costs related to Coronavirus and I think that the re-opening of the pools is a priority."
