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The slippery slope for Abraham Moss?

Although Crumpsall's Abraham Moss Centre attracts more users than any other facility of its kind; the number has fallen from 222,000 to 208,000 a year since 1996. Harpurhey Pools has seen the figure fall from 78,000 to 60,000 in the same period.

Each customer at Abraham Moss is subsidised to the tune of ?3.18 and each one at Harpurhey costs the council ?4.30 while the average subsidy for Greater Manchester is ?1.75 a head.

There are currently 18 leisure facilities operated by the local authority and some are between 65 and 90 years old having originally opened as public wash houses and laundries.

It is estimated that ?30m investment will be needed to refurbish and modernise the existing facilities across the city and one facility alone requires ?7m.

Manchester city Council is unable to provide significant levels of funding and is looking to form new partnerships to improve the leisure provision to attract regular club use.

Without the necessary investment, leisure chiefs warn it will become increasingly difficult to maintain the outdated facilities resulting in closures to contain costs.

Manchester City Council is now considering setting up Leisure Trusts with charitable status to manage and maintain the sports centres.

Sports clubs and other users will now be consulted on the proposals and a strategic plan for the future of community sports facilities will be produced by July.