Tribute to Paul Colton

We are sad to hear that Paul Colton has died. Paul did so much for so many people at Manchester Roller Hockey Club over many years. Our condolences to all Paul’s family and friends.

It seems only yesterday that we worked with Paul and so many others from our community when the old Arcadia building and site was redeveloped into the Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre. As part of that fight we insisted that a new home was found for the Roller Hockey Club and remember Paul’s absolute dedication to the Club and everyone who got so much from it. That was some years ago now but links have been maintained and both Paul and Manchester Roller Hockey Club will always have a place in the hearts of the people of Levenshulme.

The following tribute is reproduced by kind permission of Manchester Roller Hockey Club.

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Friends of Levenshulme Station Meeting

The Friends of Levenshulme Station will hold a meeting on Wednesday 18 May 2022, 18.30-19.30 at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

Lifeguard / Leisure Assistant job at Arcadia

There is a full time job advertised for a full time Lifeguard/ Leisure Assistant at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre. Anyone interested please see details below to apply.

Details are also available on the GLL website HERE (scroll to the bottom of the page and do a search for jobs in Manchester).

Levenshulme Library Opens Again

Levenshulme Library on the ground floor of the Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre on Stockport Road will open again tomorrow (Monday 14 September).

Opening Times and Contact Details:

  • Monday, Wednesday 10am to 3pm
  • Saturdays 11am to 3pm
  • Library available for use by over 60s from 10am to 11am
  • Phone:  0161 227 3725

Changes to using the library

When visiting the library, you will be asked to give your name and a contact number. All libraries have been asked by Government to collect the following information, to assist with the control of the Covid-19 pandemic. This information will be shared with NHS Test and Trace where requested, to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

Residents can have up to 30 minutes to browse for books, or can select and reserve up to six books for collection from their chosen library.

Computers are also available for public use. Due to limited availability, residents wishing to use a computer are encouraged to call their library in advance to book a slot.

Books which were borrowed before libraries were forced to close in March have been renewed until 22 September, so residents will not have incurred fines during this period.

To help ensure social distancing, the numbers of users allowed inside each library at one time will be limited, so it may be necessary to queue outside the library at busy times. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent, carer or older sibling.

Library users can reserve books to be picked up, using the online libraries catalogue or using one of the following options:

  • Ring and Read – get help to find books which you might enjoy by calling one of the libraries that are opening
  • Click and Collect, using www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries

One Manchester Presentation On Chapel Street Development 

Judy Noah, Head of Development at One Manchester will be at the Levenshulme Community Assoiciation AGM this afternoon to provide information and answer questions on the Chapel Street housing development.

The meeting starts at 14.30, Saturday 11th March, in the Community Studio in the Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

Everyone is welcome.

Arcadia 1st Birthday Celebrations

Arcadia’s 1st Birthday Celebration Event

We’re having a Fun Day on Saturday 18th February from 12 noon with exciting and unusual activities and sessions to try out….

  • 12-00-13.00 Circus Skills
  • 12.00-16.00 The Library have some craft activities, badge making, and green screen activities available
  • 12.00-16.00 Cross Fit Challenge
  • 13.00-14.00 Bhangra Fit
  • 13.00-15.00 Splash Mat session
  • 14.00-16.00 Levenshulme Youth project will be here putting on activities for the younger members and customers

There will also be refreshments available, a cake stall, a charity tombola, face painting, plus a fruit bar for the more health conscious.

The event will be opened at 12 noon by Councillor Rahman, cutting a cake and joining in the activities.

Come along and join in the fun!



LCA General Meeting 10/12/16

The next LCA General Meeting will be on Saturday 10th December, 14.15 in the Community Studio at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre on Stockport Road.

Arcadia User Group Meeting

The next Arcadia User Group meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday 11th October at 7.30pm in the Community Studio.

LCA General Meeting 10/09/16

The next LCA General Meeting will be on Saturday 10th September, 14.15 in the Community Studio at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre on Stockport Road.
As agreed at the last meeting this meeting will consider minor constitutional amendments as requested by an external funding body. As such this would technically make the meeting an Extraordinary General Meeting. The constitutional amendments are primarily to specify the quorum for meetings more explicitly.

Pleas and any reports or requests for agenda items (with supporting papers where possible) to Jeremy Hoad, LCA Secretary at secretary@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk

Free French At Our Fabulous Levenshulme Library

As part of the French literature week, Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre will be running a one off special story time and performance session for 0-5 year olds in French, that’s right in French.

The session will take place on Monday 11th July at 10:30-11:15

This is a free event and due to space limitation we advise you book in advance.

To reserve your place, please contact 0161 227 3707.

Learning a new language can be fun whatever your age!

LCA General Meeting

The next LCA General Meeting will be on Saturday 11th June, 14.15 in the Community Studio at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

As agreed at the last meeting this meeting will consider minor constitutional amendments as requested by an external funding body. As such this would technically make the meeting an Extraordinary General Meeting. The constitutional amendments are primarily to specify the quorum for meetings more explicitly.

Arcadia Library And Leisure Centre Consultation

Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre wants your views on how the Centre can develop to best meet the needs of our community and make best use of the fantastic facilities available in Levenshulme. So there’s a consultation. Do get involved.

This is what they say:
“As you will be aware, the centre opened in February and as a result of consultation carried out during the two years prior, the leisure programme from Levenshulme was transferred under the ‘lift and shift’ principle In the weeks since opening, we’ve received a small number of challenges regarding the existing leisure programmes.

In addition, leisure usage at Better, Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre is considerably higher than at Levenshulme, so over capacity of some sessions is being experienced.

We’d appreciate it if you would take a few moments to answer some questions about the centre, and your usage of it, in order for us to see whether there any changes required that could help improve the service and facilities that we currently deliver.”

If you use Arcadia please click HERE

If you haven’t used Arcadia yet please click HERE

You can also collect a survey form from the Arcadia reception.

The closing date for surveys to be returned to Arcadia or completed online is Sunday 3rd July 2016.

Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre User Group Meeting

Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre User Group
The next User Group meeting will take place at 6pm on Tuesday 17th May at 6pm.
All welcome!

What’s Your Vision For Levenshulme?

Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum would love to hear your ideas for how you want Levenshulme to develop. What’s your vision for our community?

14.00 today in the Community Studio at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

This isn’t just bout dull planning matters, this is bout what we want our community to be and to look like.

Everybody welcome.

  

Arcadia Recruitment Fair on Tuesday 5th April 2016

Better / GLL are holding a Recruitment Fair on Tuesday 5th April for jobs available at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

We’re looking for local people to come and join the team at the new Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre.

We have vacancies for Full/Part-Time/Casual Lifeguards, Fitness Instructors and Customer Service Advisors

If you’re interested we’re holding a recruitment fair on Tuesday 5th April where you can come along and find out more.

  • 5:45pm – 6pm 
  • Arrival/ Registration in the Community Studio
  • 6pm – 6:30pm
  • A short presentation about what each position entails 
  • 6:30pm – 7pm 
  • For those interested in the Lifeguard positions, we’ll carry out a short swim competency test in the pool. A female assessor will be available. Don’t forget to bring your swimming kit! 

For those interested in the Customer Service Advisor or Fitness Instructor positions, our team will be on hand for an informal job chat. 

Application forms will be available at the end of the evening and we’ll let you know when interviews will be held. 

Bring your CV along if you have one and if you have any industry qualifications we’d love to see those too. Don’t worry if you don’t have either, if you’re interested in working with us we’d love to meet you.”

  

Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre User Forum Meeting

The first meeting of the Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre User Forum has been confirmed. The invitation is provided below:
Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre User Forum

The first User Group meeting for Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre will take place in the Community Studio at Arcadia on Tuesday 8th March from 6pm to 8pm.

If you are interested in getting involved please contact reception and come along on the night. You can leave you details with one of our team, email arcadia@gll.org or call us on 0161 641 9911

We look forward to meeting you.

Andrew Smith

Partnership Manager – Manchester

  

LCA Annual General Meeting

The Levenshulme Community Association AGM will be held at 14.30 on Saturday 12th March 2016 in the Community Studio at the Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

Old Membership Rate Offer Extended to 26th February at Arcadia

Statement from Greenwich Leisure Limited / Better today after councillors have asked for clarification of pricing structure for Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre:

“It has always been our intention to honour the membership benefits of those customers who have historically enjoyed using the facilities at Levenshulme Pools. Unfortunately during the migration period from Levenshulme to the new Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre there has been miscommunication in relation to the extended availability of the £18 membership previously available at Levenshulme.

As a gesture of goodwill, until the end of day on Friday 26th February, we will be happy to honour this rate to any of our customers who can demonstrate previous use of Levenshulme Pools.

Customers who believe that they are entitled to take up this offer yet are unable to prove their past use of Levenshulme will be looked at on a case by case basis. All applications should be made in person at Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre.

From Saturday 27th February only the new membership pricing structure for Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre will be available. This is in line with all the other comparable/ new leisure centres across Manchester including the Manchester Aquatics Centre”.

UPDATE:

The Manchester Evening News has published an article on the availability of the old membership rates at Arcadia, available HERE.

Arcadia Library And Leisure Centre Is Now Open

After years of campaigns, consultations, marches, plans, occupations, letters, meetings, talking and even quite a bit of dancing the people of Levenshulme can now celebrate as our new Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre throws open its doors.

Here are a few photographs of the new Arcadia. These are the third set in the series of photographs recording the old Levensulme Baths, the original Levenshulme Library and now the new Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

Arcadia is a brand new £9.3m facility. It is managed and operated by Greenwich Leisure Limited under the Better brand through a contract with Manchester City Council. GLL are experts in managing leisure facilities. The facilities were built by Laing O’Rourke both on time and on budget. The quality and attention to detail is very impressive. Arcadia includes:

  • Community Library of 300 square metres including dedicated children’s library 
  • Over 20 free computers
  • Free wifi throughout the centre
  • Two swimming pools
  • Flexible changing rooms that can provide dedicated access to one pool for use by specific groups or for private hire 
  • Multipurpose Community Studio for exercise classes or community activities or meetings
  • 60 station gym with additional free weights
  • Sauna – up to 12 people
  • Steam room – up to 12 people
  • Disabled access throughout with a large lift and easy access for the pools
  • A buggy store

Arcadia stands as a wonderful facility and proof of what can be achieved when there is a genuine cooperative, positive collaboration between residents, our community, councillors, council officers, designers and developers.

This is our facility.

(All photographs copyright Jeremy Hoad)

   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

   

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   

Goodbye To Levenshulme Baths

Levenshulme Baths closed today (18th February 2016) for the last time. I asked if I could take some photographs to document the building that has meant so much to generations of Levenshulme residents. Pete Caveney, Duty Manager, kindly let me have the run of the place on its last day.

Levenshulme Public Baths and Washhouse has been serving Levenshulme for decades, for some time now as a leisure centre with a sauna, steam room and gym in addition to the two swimming pools but without the Washhouse. These photographs mark the building’s last day serving the people of Levenshulme before the new Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre opens on Saturday 20th February 2016 at midday. Goodbye to the old, hello to the new.

Jeremy Hoad
Secretary, Levenshulme Community Association
(All photographs copyright  Jeremy Hoad)

   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   

The Wait Is Almost Over For Our New Library And Leisure Centre

Not long to go until the new Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre opens on on Saturday 20th February on Stockport Road right in the heart of Levenshulme. Here’s a nice positive article in the Manchester Evening News.

Read the article HERE

  

Greater Manchester Libraries Unite With New Superservice

 Councils across Greater Manchester join together to share access to almost 3 million books from this weekend. 
Everyone living in Manchester, Bolton, Oldham , Rochdale, Salford, Stockport and Trafford will be able to borrow books from scores of sites across Greater Manchester – rather than just libraries in their own boroughs with Tameside council joining later this year.
This is perfect timing just before the new Levenshulme library opens on Saturday 20th February in the new £9.3m Arcadia Levenshulme Library and Leisure Centre on Stockport Road.

See the Manchester Libraries announcement HERE

Manchester Evening News article HERE

ITV News report HERE

  

Arcadia Library And Leisure Centre Opening Date

We are pleased to confirm that the new £9.3m Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre situated in the heart of Levenshulme on the A6 will open on Saturday 20th February 2016.

This will be the culmination of a long and hard fought campaign by the LCA and Levenshulme residents and groups to keep our existing baths and library open and then to replace them with new facilities.

This is an amazing success story in hard times. It is a story of a community coming together to fight for its facilities. It is a story of Manchester City Council working positively and productively with our community. It is a story of responsive and engaging council officers. It is a story of political differences and collective action. Above all, it is a success story that the people of Levenshulme should be proud of.

We hope to see as many people as possible celebrate the opening of Arcadia with us. Further details will be made available as soon as they are confirmed.

Here are a few photographs from December. This was during a tour after the LCA Community Forum Meeting. 

   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
    
    
    
    
    
   
Oh, and here is Jean Bernard and Jeremy Hoad. We could resist a trip in the lift.

  

LCA Election Results and 2015-16 Priorities

The LCA AGM this afternoon included elections with the following results:

Officers

  • Peter Naughton (Chair)
  • Jeremy Hoad (Secretary)
  • Malcolm Cowen (Treasurer)

Core Group Members

  • Matthew Ball
  • Karen Broady
  • Lawrence Hennigan
  • Mark Lake
  • John Roby Brown

Sir Gerald Kaufman MP (LCA Honorary President) was generous in his praise of Levenshulme’s diversity, initiative and identity as a fantastic place to live and work. He was particularly impressed with the strength of the LCA and the many other community groups across Levenshulme. He stressed the importance of having active and engaged residents that form the basis of a cohesive and mutually supportive community.

The meeting identified key areas for the work of the LCA over the coming year including:

  • finding a future for the Levenshulme Library building;
  • increasing community engagement;
  • ensuring active community involvement in the development of the new Arcadia Leisure Centre;
  • sharing information both online and through distributed means to reach as many people as possible;
  • building on the larger LCA membership of the past year;
  • providing more events such as the very successful LCA Community Forum meetings;
  • providing information on community funding opportunities and sources;
  • enabling and supporting greater involvement in the LCA from currently less represented groups in line with LCA key aims of inclusiveness;
  • exploring how to improve access at Levenshulme Station;
  • strengthening, developing and promoting Levenshulme as a great place to live, work and play.

LCA Officers and the Core Group will develop these ideas into firm proposals and practical priorities for 2015-16.

We are grateful to the support and hard work of the many groups that we collaborate with in Levenshulme and look forward to another positive and productive year for the benefit of all Levenshulme residents.


New Community Funding From Laing O’Rourke

A message from Laing O’Rourke

We’re delighted to invite you the launch of the Laing O’Rourke Cash4Graft funding programme which is to take place from 18.00-20.00 on Tuesday 24th February 2015 at Laing O’Rourke offices at:
3 Archway, Birley Fields, Manchester, M15 5QJ

This exciting new fund focuses on supporting residents in the south Manchester area to come together to identify projects that will benefit their community and get together to deliver those projects. The programme will support grassroots community projects in and around the Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre development scheduled to be opened next year for sums from £50 to £250 which can kickstart great initiatives that make our neighbourhoods happier, healthier and safer places to live.

Laing commitment to engaging with local communities where it delivers projects is essential to their ethos and their corporate social responsibility strategy and the launch of this programme means that they can deliver real impact at a local level. – making a difference where you live!

This strength-based approach looks at what’s strong and not what’s wrong in communities – residents coming together to develop great ideas – and support existing groups that already deliver real impact in south Manchester neighbourhoods.

Please feel free to invite fellow community groups to what promises to be
an informal event where we can talk to you about the programme, how
you can get involved and how you can apply for funding from the programme. Forever Manchester is working in partnership with Laing O’Rourke to deliver this programme.

We’d be delighted to see you there and it would be great if you could e-mail me back to let me know that you can make it.

We look forward to meeting you.

Jean Mills
Head of Business Development

Email: jean@forevermanchester.com
Web: forevermanchester.com
Twitter: @JeanieFM

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(Google Maps link HERE)

A New name for a New centre in Levenshulme

At the first Levenshulme Community Forum meeting organised by the LCA recently it was agreed that it would be a good idea to have a community consultation about a possible new name for the new Arcadia facilities. It was also agreed that the “Arcadia” name should be retained by the skating groups that have moved to Ardwick Sports Hall. After discussion and an offer by Lydia Meryll of the Levenshulme Youth Forum it was decided that that group would contact councillors to propose and organise this (the consultation isn’t being organised or managed by the LCA itself).

For information please find below a message posted by Beth Marshall to the Levy Massive Facebook group:

A New name for a New centre in Levenshulme

Cllr Rosa Battle has asked for suggestions for the name for the new Centre. Arcadia roller Hockey group has asked to retain that name as they are known internationally by that title and want to take it with them

Here are three proposals so far:
The Three-in-One Centre – from Levy Youth Project Forum
The Jeremiah O’Brien Centre – from Hard Rain Poets
The Sonny…… centre – as she was our woman who was first to swim the Channel

Dies anyone know how to make a doodle poll? If so, please can all proposals go to you?!

If not, Lydia is happy to receive proposals for names and to send them all out again for a “Vote” by the end of the week. – end of Friday 29th Aug

We have til 1st Serpt to come up with a short list.

Please send ideas to Lydia-Meryll@outlook.com

Levenshulme Community Forum Public Meeting

The Levenshulme Community Forum public meeting will take place on Friday 25th July, 19.00 at the Klondyke Club (1 Burnage Range, Levenshulme).

The meeting is about the future of our current library after the library moves to the new Arcadia building in 2015.

Other issues can be raised as well. The focus is on ideas for the library as a community facility but this is an open public meeting for all residents of Levenshulme so bring your ideas and issues along.

New Library and Baths Exhibition

The new Levenshulme Library and Baths development on Stockport Road is now ready for public exhibition.

Plans for the proposed centre design will be on display in the cafe at Levenshulme Inspire from Saturday 14th June to Thursday 26th June, where there will be a chance for you to comment on the proposals.  Members of the project team will also be there for you to discuss the plans, on:

  • Tuesday 17 June, 16.00-20.00
  • Friday 20 June, 13.00-16.00
  • Monday 23 June, 09.00-13.00

There is a dedicated page on Manchester City Council’s website HERE.

Plans for the new development will be available HERE from 14th June.

This is an exciting stage in the development and close attention has been paid to ensuring that the new facilities meet all of the requirements and specifications worked out through lengthy and detailed consultation with Levenshulme residents over the past year or more. The new facilities will include:

  • two pools (one that can be accessed and used in private)
  • a 60 station gym
  • a multipurpose fitness / community room
  • 12 person sauna
  • 12 person steam room
  • a staffed library
  • reception area with seating, pool viewing, public computers and wifi

Manchester City Council will be investing over £8,000,000 in these new facilities that will dramatically improve services in Levenshulme and serve a wide area of south Manchester.

Relocation of users of the Arcadia roller skate rink will happen in tandem with development of the new facilities. A £250,000 investment is being made separately by the Council to enhance, extend and improve facilities for Arcadia users at Ardwick.

This commitment to public services in Levenshulme by Manchester City Council at a time of austerity and struggle for many people is hugely welcome. This is also a result of the massive local campaign to save Levenshulme’s existing Baths and Library from closure which was a huge success for the people of Levenshulme. The creativity, dynamism, imagination, persistence and dedication of Levenshulme residents and careful collaboration with local councillors and the council is really showing dividends now.

Levenshulme Community Association will continue to consult with residents and work with the council to ensure the best possible outcome for the people of Levenshulme.

A press release from Manchester City Council is expected tomorrow (Friday 7th June 2014) and will be added here when available.

Send us your news!

Do you have news about something going on in Levenshulme?

Are you organising an event?

Do you run or support a community organisation?

Please send us your news, information, event or details of your organisation and we’d love to add you to the Levenshulme Community Association website or publicise what you are doing.

Get in touch and share what you know about Levenshulme!

Contact the LCA HERE

Thanks.

Jeremy Hoad (LCA Secretary)

Football coaching at Arcadia

Aim2Train are running football coaching for children aged 5 years to 16 years at Arcadia, 12.00-14.00 at the moment (and then weekly after the summer holidays).

They provide qualified coaching sessions and as well as giving young people the opportunity to gain their coaching qualifications.

Sessions are only £3. Just turn up kitted up and pay on the day. You can also register with them online.

Check out their website and like them on facebook if you support what they are trying to achieve.