These leisure facilities, such as parks, swimming pools and fitness centres, are popular features for local people that play an important, even essential, role in contributing to users quality of life, health and well-being, and to help deliver long-term social, economic and environmental benefits.

The provision of high quality, useable and inclusive facilities further enhances the positive image of the district to residents and visitors’ alike, thereby encouraging visitors and supporting economic investment.

In this Leisure section are pages relating to some of the wide variety of sporting and recreational pursuits available within Craven,  and information on initiatives such as the sponsorship of roundabouts and local 'In Bloom' groups.

The Sports Development section provides valuable information on support available to clubs and coaches such as funding opportunities, facility improvement and training.

FANS: Free Access for National Sports People 2008.  We have offered 11 free membership to Craven Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre for up local elite and talented athletes.  Due to demand we will not be having a second round of applications.  However, we will be opening applications for 2009 in November.  To register for an application for please email your full details (name, sport, age, address) to bdinsmore@cravendc.gov.uk  Details of the scheme are in the 2008 FANS Criteria and Application form which will be reviewed for 2009.