Hyndburn's Wilson Sport Village at threat after ISG collapse

Based in Clayton-le-Moors, the £12.6 million scheme was contracted to construction giant ISG, which collapsed on Friday after attempts to secure a rescue deal failed.

Wilson Sports Village is being run by Alliance Leisure, with ISG being its main construction contractor.

Alliance has given assurances, Hyndburn Council said, that it is in a strong trading position and will minimise disruption and ensure the continuity of the project.

Plans for the leisure centre involved demolishing an existing clubhouse and replacing it with a new sports centre, with the steel framework for the sports complex completed in July.

Overton ward Labour Councillor Scott Brerton said: “Deputy leader Cllr Noordad Aziz has assured me ISG is a subcontractor of Alliance Leisure, and it is their concern rather than ours and the council is not at risk from this.”

Accommodating a 25-metre four-lane pool, indoor and outdoor changing facilities, offices, community rooms, a café and reception area, the leisure centre created great controversy and received 114 objections to the application.

Conservative leader on Hyndburn Council, Cllr Zak Khan, said: “It is disappointing news that the contractor has gone into administration.

“We aren’t alone, it is one the biggest contractors in the country, so what the council needs to do now is secure a new contractor and complete the site.

“We as a group will support the council in whatever they need to make sure it continues on course and remains a success.”

The Wilsons Sports Centre plan was formulated by ex-council leader Miles Parkinson who spearheaded the project.

It was initially criticised by Labour councillors as a “vanity project”, but after seizing power of the borough in May's local elections the party has supported the plans with construction well underway.

Steel Framework at Wilson Sport Village (Image: Newsquest) Great Harwood residents and councillors led opposition to the project on Wilsons Playing Fields, which is a key part of Hyndburn's Leisure Transformation Project over the associated permanent closure of the swimming pool in the township's Mercer Hall.

Speaking in July Cllr Munsif Dad said: “We vowed to review all the Conservatives' vanity projects to ensure they were delivering value for money for residents, and to listen to residents' concerns.

"With the stage at which the Wilson's project currently stands it did not represent good value for money for it to be curtailed or abandoned.

"The steel structures were already in place."

It also received £2.4 million investment from Sports England via its Strategic Facilities Fund, which has the objective of supplying the right sports facilities in the right areas.

A Hyndburn Council spokesperson said: “The Council recognises the hard work and dedication of the construction team at Wilson Sport Village and extend our empathy to all ISG employees and any subcontractors who are currently affected.

“The Council are committed to working with Alliance Leisure to ensure a smooth transition during this difficult period.

“Once we have a clearer understanding of Alliance Leisure’s plan, we will be able to provide further updates.”