Fears over future of Greater Manchester leisure centre where Olympic medal winners have been produced

The future of a Stockport leisure centre could be at 'serious risk', a councillor has warned, after it was found to be in need of a multi-million pound refurbishment. Life Leisure Grand Central, in the town centre, needs a 'substantial eight-figure investment' to improve its 'aging infrastructure', according to a report.

Stockport Metro swimming club is based at Grand Central, which has a 50m pool and has produced Olympic medal winners including Steve Parry, who won bronze at the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004. The future of the site was plunged into doubt on Monday when Life Leisure's annual report revealed the scale of the problems at the 31-year-old centre.

Labour councillors have now called for urgent clarity over its future. David Meller, leader of Stockport Labour Group, said: "This bombshell over Grand Central has really taken us by surprise and we're now incredibly concerned about its future.

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"Ultimately, where is this significant eight-figure investment going to come from? And if it doesn't come, are we looking at the end of Grand Central? My real worry is the future of the swimming baths, which has produced Olympic medallists and been enjoyed by countless people for decades, is now at serious risk.

"This all needs clarification - and quickly." Coun Christine Carrigan added: "It is a hugely important asset to Stockport leisure service, not least because it is the only swimming offer to the north or the borough servicing Reddish and the Heatons along with my own ward in the town centre."

Life Leisure is the council-owned company that operates Grand Central and other leisure centres