Last updated at 11:47, Thursday, 28 February 2013

THE under threat Copeland Bowls and Sports Centre will remain OPEN – despite having its funding withdrawn by Copeland Council.

North Country Leisure (NCL), which manages the Cleator Moor facility, revealed the news this week after it was confirmed the council will no longer provide funding from April.

Peter Johnstone, the NCL Copeland board chair, said: “During the council consultation, it was stated that the centre would close unless it could operate without subsidy. We are confident that it will remain open for the foreseeable future due to a number of changes that have been made to the way the centre operates.”

These include a price rise (by £6 for the season and by no more than 25p for a rink session) and changes to opening hours; from April 22 it will open 10am to 8.30pm weekdays and for special events only at weekends (not for casual bowling). The all-weather pitch runs as normal.

Mr Johnstone added: “Although we have had to increase prices by more than we would have liked, this has been an essential part of plans to keep the building open and run popular sessions for the local community.”

First published at 11:43, Thursday, 28 February 2013
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk