Community at the heart of new report into leisure plans for 'forgotten' Warsop

Putting the community at the heart of leisure decisions in Warsop is set to be the focus of a new health programme in the parish.
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It follows a new report into leisure in Warsop, named Living Well in Warsop, which calls for Mansfield District Council to look at ways of helping keep the parish’s residents active.

The report recommends investment in people, programmes, projects and places and puts the community at the centre of decision-making on future investment.

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It comes almost two years after the Meden Sports Complex closed for good in April 2018, following ongoing financial pressures under former mayor Kate Allsop.

Meden Sports Centre Meden Sports Centre
Meden Sports Centre

The report calls for an improved awareness of, and access to, the current services across Mansfield and Warsop – and potentially a free community bus service to facilities in the district.

Councillor Amanda Fisher, portfolio holder for communities and wellbeing, said: “It is clear there is a widely held view that Warsop has been forgotten and let down.

“There is a considerable amount of trust to rebuild and we aim to work closely with the community.

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“Any plan has to be achievable and sustainable. Simply building new facilities will not necessarily deliver what the community needs. This is as much about changing hearts, minds and lifestyles.

“We need to ensure that more people know what is available in Warsop and surrounding villages and that the activities and facilities are accessible [through public transport].”

Councillor Andy Burgin, chairman of Warsop Parish Council, said: "We look forward to working together with all the partners and leisure providers in Warsop to help ensure the people of this parish can enjoy and access a variety of leisure opportunities.

"Warsop has tremendous community spirit and I’m confident we can pull together to make real improvements."

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Maddy Pritchard, of Vibrant Warsop, added: "This report sets out really clearly what we all need to focus on to improve leisure provision in Warsop and our organisation welcomes being a central part of how we move plans forward.

"We believe Warsop is already a fantastic community with lots going on and it can be even more brilliant if everyone works together."