New trust makes a splash
Published 29 Mar 2012 16:45
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MAKING A SPLASH: Councillor Ronnie McColl, Denise Laverty Board member, Tony Waclawski, Board member and Councillor David McBride
A NEW Leisure Trust has been launched - pledging to plough more then £1m into new equipment and better facilities.
WD Leisure is a separate not-for-profit organisation set up by the council to manage the area's three leisure centres, 18 community centres and the Active Schools and Sports Development programmes.
It has its own board made up of councillors, a trades union representative and members of the community, such as former SPL football referee Kenny Clark.
At yesterday's launch, the board revealed plans to invest £350,000 for each of the next three years to improve the standard of leisure and community facilities in West Dunbartonshire.
Mr Clark, who is vice-chairman of the trust, said: "I was really excited by the opportunity to join the Board and influence the future of health and wellbeing and sporting achievement in West Dunbartonshire.
"I firmly believe that WD Leisure has a bright future because everyone on the Board is passionate about this work and completely focused on seeing improvements made to our local sport, leisure and community facilities in coming years."
Customers should start seeing the benefits within months with the first new gym equipment in 10 years already ordered for all the leisure centres, as well as a new sports floor in the main hall of the Meadow Centre in Dumbarton and a fantastic spin bike studio at the Alexandria CE Centre.
Councillor Ronnie McColl, Council Leader and chairman of WD Leisure, added: "I am absolutely delighted to see the Leisure Trust launch with such an exciting pledge to invest funds and commitment to improving customer service in West Dunbartonshire's leisure and community facilities.
"It was only by creating a Leisure Trust that we were able to source this money and begin the much needed enhancement of the area's leisure centres and community facilities. I have big hopes that the improvements will also lead to increased participation and improved health amongst our local community.
"It is also important to be clear that while WD Leisure is a separate organisation, the Council retains ownership of the assets, and as the main funder, will continue to have a major influence over future policy."
This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 29 Mar 12
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