SOME of Burnley's main recreation facilities could close under plans for a major overhaul of sports and leisure centres in the town.

The council is carrying out a wide ranging review of the facilities it provides as part of a cost cutting exercise and to make sure sports centres are value for money.

The review, likely to cost around £82,000, will help the council form a strategy for leisure for the next 30 years.

All three of the main centres, the Thompson Centre, Gannow Pool and Padiham Leisure Centre are in decline in terms of the number of users and physical appearance.

The council admits it must save money and that some facilities need refurbishment. The review could recommend closing down some sports and leisure facilities if repairs are not seen as a good investment.

However, under the plans the council will also consider building new sports centres if they are needed. In a report to this week's executive, Mick Cartledge, the council's director for community and leisure services, says: "The council needs to step back and take a strategic review of its sports and leisure facility provision both to meet the council's budget needs, but perhaps more importantly to make a break from providing facilities that are coming to the end of their lives and which do not fully meet the demands of today's leisure centre user."

He adds: "It is clear that the council's three main sports facilities are in need of investment, but there is a need to prioritise any future investment and establish whether such investment would provide value for money.

"There is a need for a survey which is linked to identifying refurbishment costs over the next 20 years. Such an exercise will assist the council in deciding whether future refurbishment would be a good investment or whether there is a need for new build or to close down a location."

Coun Barry Guttridge, executive member for leisure, said: "This is the start of an exciting time for the borough's leisure facilities. We intend to seize the opportunity to review our services and start to provide activities that are accessible to all the people of Burnley and that residents will be proud of."

Planned improvements to the changing rooms and reception area at the Thompson Centre and other minor work will go ahead as planned.

A spokesman for Padiham Parish Swimming Club, which teaches swimming and life-saving skills, said the group would fold if the pool was closed.

They added: "We fought with the council last year when they tried to take our subsidy away but if the pool closed the club would die. People can't afford to travel the extra distance to another centre."