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Go for Gold!
Action
for leisure
The council is currently
in the process of preparing its leisure strategy. We would like
to see a good range of leisure facilities in the town, providing
for young and old alike. In particular we would like to see more
family leisure provision around the town centre.
We will make sure that major
facilities are situated at locations accessible to non-car users
as well as car users.
We will promote Watford as
a place to visit; in particular we would raise awareness of Watford's
heritage and encourage tourism. We would like to see the arts
in all their forms thrive in Watford. We are proud of the Palace
Theatre and will continue to provide it with financial support.
We would like to see cinema provision in the town centre. We
will work to improve and modernise the exhibitions at the museum
and provide exhibition space for local artists to display their
work.
Our recent community survey
showed that the quality of our parks and open spaces is a top
concern for Watford residents. It is important that our parks
provide a safe and pleasant environment for people to enjoy.
Under Labour, our parks are neglected: it's hard to get new or
replacement play equipment; many parks have derelict toilet blocks
that are a real eyesore. Labour's promised 'loos review' to deal
with this problem has been repeatedly delayed. We will make sure
that our parks have the necessary play equipment, facilities
and standard of maintenance to make them an asset to the town.
We will:
- Modernise and upgrade the council's
leisure facilities as part of its cultural strategy.
- Give priority to investment in high-use
family leisure activities in and near Watford town centre.
- Improve provision for swimming in the
town.
- Promote improvements to school facilities
in return for public access outside school hours.
- Consult with young people about the
facilities they want - for example we support the bid for a 'pod' facility
for the Rookery Estate in Oxhey.
- Ensure that new facilities are provided
at locations accessible to all members of the community.
- Promote awareness of Watford's history
and heritage and seek to attract tourists to the town.
- Seek new private sector facilities in
the town: for example, a cinema in the town centre.
- Increase investment in parks: especially
in new play equipment and in tackling the eyesore toilet blocks
that disfigure many of our parks and recreation areas.
- Involve park users in management and
maintenance: along the model of 'Friends of Cassiobury Park'.
- Enhance the services provided by Watford
Museum: for example through a 'virtual tour' of Cassiobury
House and more family-oriented activities.
- Enhance the Colne Valley with new interpretation
boards and create continuous footpath alongside the river.
- Explore ways of attracting extra investment
in leisure, for example by involving the private sector in
management of council facilities; by creating a trust as has
been done in London Boroughs or through lottery bids.
- Work with neighbouring boroughs to enhance
leisure facilities for all.
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