Bolton’s brill ain’t it!

Exciting investment in the heart of Horwich

It’s all happening in Horwich. Almost £20 million investment is being pumped into the town by Bolton Council and its partners between now and 2018. Here is a flavour of the exciting developments and projects . . .

Flagship new leisure centre gets go-ahead

Plans for a new £10 million leisure centre in Horwich can now race ahead after they were approved by the council’s planning committee on May 12.

The current leisure centre will be replaced with a new facility on the car park of the existing site in Victoria Road.

Work to create temporary car parking spaces around the centre will start immediately. The plan is contractors will move on site on June 20 to start work to demolish the existing car park.

There’ll be no excuse not to get fit and healthy as the new centre will include a 25-metre, six lane, pool with a separate training pool, a 100-station fitness suite, spin and dance studios, a four-court sports hall, changing facilities and new car parking.

The council has also doubled the number of spectator seats at the pool following consultation with users and swimming clubs about poolside seating, so all the family can share the atmosphere of this fantastic facility.

Watch out for galas being held at the centre in the future.

Detailed planning information and reports are available on the council’s planning portal at bolton.gov.uk

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “This is hugely important for Horwich and when the work is complete there will be a fantastic new facility for the whole of the west of the borough to use for many years to come.

“The new leisure centre will be more efficient in its use of space. We also made changes to the plans, to offer more poolside seats, and will continue to talk to user groups because they are crucial to the centre.

“Once this and the health centre scheme are complete, this will be a flagship health and wellbeing hub in Horwich.”

Bolton Community Leisure Trust will take over the running of the centre and will keep residents and users up to date with the timetable for construction.

The existing centre will continue to run until the new facility opens.

For more information email: horwich@bolton.gov.uk

New health super-centre on track

Healthcare in the town has also been given a shot in the arm, with outline plans for a new £6.8 million health centre — to be built opposite the leisure centre — also approved on May 12. Three Horwich GP practices: Bolton Community Practice, Kildonan House and Pike View Medical Centre will relocate from their current premises into one building.

Moving together into new, purpose built premises will allow the surgeries to extend their range of services to the local community. A full planning application for the health centre is expected to be submitted in the next six months.

Improved day care facilities

We’re also looking after some of our older and more vulnerable residents with a £1 million refurbishment of the Brazley Centre, off Cedar Grove.

When the new hub is open, two services will be delivered under one roof: older adults’ day care provision will move from its current home in the nearby former Brazley Library, plus day care provision for adults with learning difficulties from its temporary home at The Hilton Suite in Horwich Leisure Centre.

The building is now being used as a community centre and this element will remain once the refurbishment is complete. Work is well underway and we expect the new centre to be open later this Summer.

Modern pitch for the next generation

Horwich residents could well be the most active in the borough as a new £500,000 3G pitch will be developed on Old Station Park.

Work on the redevelopment should be completed in 2017 and will complement the new leisure and health centres.

“The new pitch is really great news for Horwich. Investing in sports at a grassroots level is key to encouraging all ages — especially young people – to get involved in sport and improve their fitness and overall health,” said Cllr Morris.

Gear up for Horwich Festival of Racing

If football or swimming doesn’t get your heart pumping, there’s always the annual Horwich Festival of Racing which will double in size this year thanks to support from the council.

This year’s event will take place over two days – on June 18 and 19 – meaning there will be a packed weekend of sport for residents to enjoy.

Cllr Morris said: “Since it began in 2002, Horwich Festival of Racing has grown to become one of the most popular sporting events in the North West and we’re really pleased to be supporting it.”

Spectators are welcome — the more the merrier so find out more at horwichfestivalofracing.com.?

World’s toughest race to stay in Bolton

Ironman bosses have confirmed that Ironman UK — one of the world’s toughest endurance races — will stay in Bolton until 2017.

Bolton has successfully staged the triathlon since 2009, and council chiefs have now secured an agreement to continue hosting it and the Ironkids race until 2017.

The 140.6-mile event includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon finishing in Bolton town centre.

It is one of the largest global sporting events held in the north and the race is filmed and broadcast to an international audience of more than one billion.

Thousands of athletes and supporters are set to descend on the town once again in the coming days for a weekend of sport.

The gruelling triathlon will see 2,650 athletes compete on July 19. The world’s largest Ironkids race takes place the day before and sees 2,250 children running around Bolton town centre.

Bolton Council leader, Cllr Cliff Morris, welcomed the news that the event is staying in the borough.

“This is great for Bolton and for the region. Ironman brings in millions of pounds to the local economy helping our businesses. It showcases Bolton — the countryside, the people, the town — at its best.

“Each year we’ve hosted it, there has been more and more interest in the event from athletes globally. What’s fantastic is we’re also seeing droves of local people signing up. When the event first started we had a handful of Boltonians but this year we’ve got 166 athletes so it’s great we can keep up that momentum.

“Ironkids is also a brilliant event encouraging young people to get involved in sport and together with the Ironman triathlon, the whole weekend always brings a real boost to the town,” he added.

Ironman has grown in size year on year: 1,500 athletes took part in 2009, and this year 2,650 will compete in Ironman.

Ironman regional director for Northern Europe, Kevin Stewart, said: “Having made significant changes to the event in recent years, which has seen it grow both in size and stature, we are delighted that we are continuing our relationship with Bolton until at least 2017.

“Athletes from around the world know that in coming to Ironman UK, they are set for a challenging course, but one that offers huge spectator support to help them achieve their goal of becoming an Ironman.”

For more information about the event, visit ironmanuk.com. Spectators’ guide available at visitbolton.com

Half Marathon runners to take to the streets

For those up for a challenge there’s a half marathon which will be taking place in Bolton this autumn and organisers hope to extend it to a full marathon in 2017.

The event is organised by Stewart Jones and Colin Rigby, who run the Mad Bull Events Company and organise local races such as the Rivington 10 Mile Trail and the Race the Train event between Bury and Rawtenstall.

More than 1,000 people are expected to line up for the Bolton Community Half Marathon, starting from Le Mans Crescent in the town centre at 10am on September 4, 2016.

For details and to enter visit: boltoncommunitymarathon.com

Travel Guide to the World of Bolton

Now in its 11th year, Bolton’s fantastic Food and Drink Festival returns to the town on 26 to 29 August and is hotter than ever with its focus on world foods and wine tasting added to the menu.

There’s so much to choose from with With our Artisan Markets and local and regional traders you can sample food and drink from the four corners of the globe all within the town centre - with over 150 market stalls you’ll be spoilt for choice,

Celebrity Chefs Michael Caines, Nadiya Hussain, John Torode and festival favourite James Martin are all here to provide top tips and foodie facts to festival goers. Plus a host of Regional Chefs and rising stars offer free demos in the Regional Chef Marquee and the Lifestyle Hall in Bolton Market.

There’s wine tasting with Kate Goodman and Oz Clarke, UK’s most well-known celebrity wine critic in the brand new 'Chefs Quarter' at The Vaults, in the Market Place and John Torode joins in at an extra-special Twilight Tasting in the main Festival Marquee in the evening.

Why not book your seat and dine with the (Michelin) stars at our exclusive, five course Gala Dinner, set in the main Celebrity Chef marquee?

Or have an Afternoon Tea Picnic and a live cookery demo from celebrity chef Nadiya Hussain, courtesy of Slattery, and some special guests are available to chat to.

Plus there’s an amazing packed Children’s Programme themed on the Mad Science’ passport where they learn about science from our Mad Scientists and the Octagon Theatre are bringing the seaside to Bolton with sand, beach huts, bunting and entertainment and there is loads of live music and street entertainment throughout the four day event.

Our festival wouldn’t be what it is without the support of sponsors and partners and this year we are delighted that retail giant Aldi have once again chosen to be our headline sponsor. Other sponsors are University of Bolton, Market Place Shopping Centre, Stateside Foods and Willmott Dixon with additional partners the Arts Council; Bolton College; Bolton Market; KRO; Octagon Theatre; Slattery, and Worsley Park Marriott Hotel and Country Club.

Tickets for the celebrity chef demos and the special events are now on sale. For more details visit boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com