Leisure centre threatened with closure

A leisure centre could be set for the axe because it is considered unsustainable to keep it running.

Mansfield District Council is opening a consultation asking users of Meden Sports Centre in Warsop how closing the facility would affect them.

The centre has a 20metre swimming pool, two fully-equipped gyms, a three-court sports hall, a fitness studio/multi-purpose room and an outdoor astro turf.

Despite more than £500,000 having been spent over the past four years on the centre, it is considered unsustainable to keep it running, according to the district authority.

The building, owned by Nottinghamshire County Council, is managed by the district council to provide facilities for schools swimming and delivery of Meden School's physical education programme along with community use of the pool, sports hall and gym for residents.

Councillor Andrew Tristram, the district council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “The council has undergone a review of leisure services at Meden Sports Centre and concluded that the current operating model is not sustainable for the future.

“There are increasing uncertainties about the running costs and capital investment due to the condition of the building.”

Refurbishment and rebuilding the centre would cost between £1million and £8m.

Councillor Tristram added: “We've consulted with major stakeholders and unfortunately we do not have the capital resources to fund a redevelopment.”

Writing in the Gainsborough Standard, Mansfield Labour Group leader, Sonya Ward, wrote: “Getting active matters, and decent leisure facilities are essential.”

A petition to keep the centre open has received more than 1,000 signatures.

The consultation will run between 7 December and 31 January 2017.