A FLIXTON ward member has raised concerns about the health and wellbeing of displaced members of the redundant William Wroe Golf Course and the soon-to-be-shut George H Carnall centre.

In council chambers recently, Cllr Paul Lalley asked what measures the council was taking to ensure former users of William Wroe, in Flixton, and the George Carnall Leisure Centre, in Urmston, could continue to lead healthy lifestyles.

After a review of the profitability of its sites, Trafford Leisure decided to controversially axe William Wroe and George H Carnall from its portfolio.

Cllr John Lamb, executive member for communities and partnerships, said that the “oversupply” of golf facilities in the area and limited uptake led to the closure of William Wroe.

He said council officers had discussions with other golf clubs in the area so William Wroe users could “continue to golf locally”.

Trafford Leisure also offered a preferential scheme for any displaced golfers wanting to transfer to Altrincham Golf Course.

The William Wroe Veterans Club, which has 50 members, voted to transfer to Altrincham Golf Course and discussions are underway to offer a 20 per cent discount to pay and player users for 12 months.

With regards to the George Carnall leisure centre, Cllr Lamb said Trafford Leisure has been open with its customers about the closure from the beginning and reiterated that it will not be closed until the £2m revamp of Urmston Leisure Centre was complete.

He said that Trafford Leisure was working with customers to ensure relocation, appropriate for the sport, is achieved and be as local as possible.

“With William Wroe and George H Carnall, there has been a high degree of communication with, discussion with, and commitment to customers to ensure that they remain active in their chosen sport and that there is a minimisation of disruption to their arrangements,” said Cllr Lamb.

Trafford Council is pumping £24.4million into the borough’s leisure facilities as part of an initiative to combat inactivity in the borough.

This includes investing £10m into building a new facility in Altrincham and spending millions of pounds on modernising Trafford Leisure’s Sale, Stretford, Urmston and Partington sites.

Increasing physical activity levels and closing inequality gaps in Trafford has been deemed a top priority for the council, with the health cost of inactivity estimated at £4.8m.

“We know that physical activity has a direct and positive impact on a person’s wellbeing,” added Cllr Lamb.

Cllr Lally asked what the future held for William Wroe Golf Course, now that it is closed and Cllr Lamb said he “wasn’t able to comment much” but said the land remains in ownership of the council.

When asked if the golf course will revert to meadow status, Cllr Lamb said that the grass will be cut and basic maintenance retained.