RUN-DOWN Elms Precinct could become home to a swimming pool and leisure complex.

That was the exciting news brought back to Whitefield by MP Ivan Lewis and Councillor Warren Flood when they returned from a meeting with precinct owners in the Isle of Man on Wednesday.

Their mission for the trip was to read the riot act to North Western Properties Ltd who had invited the pair to a meeting to discuss the precinct's future.

And they returned full of positive thoughts on the town's future. As well as the pool and leisure scheme the precinct could be totally revamped

Coun Flood and Mr Lewis have campaigned constantly for improvements at the Elms Precinct.

Nearly 600 people signed a petition in June asking for something to be done about the precinct which was described as "appalling".

The Isle of Man meeting began as expected. Mr Lewis said: "We expressed our dismay at the deterioration of the precinct and handed over letters from residents and traders expressing their serious concern.

"The company directors assured us they are making strenuous efforts to persuade potential shop tenants to move into the revamped precinct but said that so far they have been unable to secure sufficient interest to justify the required investments." Then, as the group discussed other ways in which the owners could raise revenue from the site the subject of leisure was introduced.

Mr Lewis said: "Suddenly the meeting changed. The directors said they have recently signed a deal to build a large number of leisure centres in the North West but had not thought of Whitefield.

"I almost fell off my chair when they promised an immediate feasibility study into a complex which would include swimming pools."

A delighted Coun Flood added: "We had a constructive meeting which offers a glimmer of hope for the community at the end of a long dark tunnel. The concept of some form of leisure facility is particularly exciting and we have been guaranteed an indication of the feasibility of this project before Christmas.

"I can think of no better Christmas present for local people than a leisure complex including swimming pools together with the revamped shopping facilities."

Coun Flood added that it was "very important" to understand that there can be no guarantee of rapid progress and the whole scheme does rest on the results of the feasibility study.

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