Crunch meeting over pools’ future

9:01am Thursday 23rd November 2006

LEISURE centre users in Cricklade and Wootton Bassett are deeply concerned ahead of tonight's crisis meeting to discuss possible closures.

North Wiltshire District Council is due to discuss the future of the six centres run by the troubled North Wiltshire Leisure company.

There is speculation that three centres could be closed and Cricklade, Wootton Bassett's Lime Kiln Centre and Calne could be at risk.

Cricklade Leisure Centre was part funded by local fundraisers before being given to the district about eight years ago.

Town council chairman Clive Wilce is bitterly disappointed about the lack of consultation by the district.

"Cricklade Leisure Centre was constructed on the basis of local fundraising," he said.

"It was funded by Cricklade people, it was built by Cricklade people and it was initially managed by Cricklade people.

"It was gifted to North Wiltshire District Council to manage about eight years ago and I don't think they should fritter that gift away."

Cricklade offers a gym, changing rooms, dance studio, multi-purpose sports hall, sauna, snooker table, squash court, swimming pool and tennis court.

Steve Dye, chairman of the Cricklade Youth Football Club which uses the centre, felt the district council had given no notice.

"I think we would have a big problem if the leisure centre closed," he said.

He said it would jeopardise the future of the club which would not be able to carry on in its present form.

"I don't think we've had any notice and the only thing officially communicated to us was on Monday, when we had something from the town council asking us to write in support of the centre.

"I'm not sure what impact anything we could say at this late stage is going to have."

The situation is similar in Wootton Bassett, where the Lime Kiln centre's swimming pool is home to the second largest swimming club in Wiltshire, the Otters.

It also has a gym, sports hall, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and squash courts.

Town councillor Chris Wannell said it was used by 11 schools and 23 clubs. "With the town expanding, it would seem ludicrous to close the sports facility," he said.

Coun Carol O'Gorman, leader of North Wiltshire District Council, said the council had tried to keep everyone informed.

There would be time at the beginning of the meeting solely for questions and the presentation of petitions.