Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrats announce campaign to deliver a new gym for Shaw

A campaign to get Shaw a new gym has been launched by the Liberal Democrats in Shaw and Crompton.  Councillors say the campaign is aimed at Oldham Community Leisure (OCL) and is designed to take them up on previous expressions of interest to provide a Gym in Shaw.

Shaw Liberal Democrat councillor Hazel Gloster said, “Today we announce our next campaign.  We will be working to make sure Shaw gets a new gym and taking up Oldham Community Leisure’s previous comments that they would support a facility in Shaw.”

Shaw baths permanently closed in 2014 after the boiler failed and repairs were considered deemed too costly by the Labour Council.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, who also represents Shaw, said, “The Liberal Democrats have a proud history of campaigning for and delivering on what Shaw and Crompton residents tell us they want.  Our new Health Centre is on track for completion in summer 2024 after the doubters said it would never happen.  There is even scope for the centre to be expanded in the future.

“The vision for Shaw has always been to create a Health and Wellbeing Hub.  We have the Lifelong Learning Centre already, a Health Centre on its way, a new Gym would make that vision a reality,” added councillor Gloster.

Councillor Diane Williamson, who represents Crompton ward, said, “Over the next weeks and months we will be arranging for petitions, surveys so that residents can tell us what they would like to see at the facility.  This could be in terms of equipment, types of classes or suggested opening hours.  We will also be asking residents for a commitment to use the new facility - the numbers need to stack up if we are to make sure it happens.

“We will be working with OCL every step of the way because we believe partnership working is key.  The Liberal Democrats want better for Shaw and Crompton, and this is the next thing on the list bringing jigsaw pieces together,” stated councillor Williamson.