Fight begins to save Sherburn Leisure Centre (Durham Liberal Democrats)

Durham Liberal Democrats <info@durhamlibdems.org.uk>

Fight begins to save Sherburn Leisure Centre

February 21, 2011 10:32 AM

County and Parish Councillors in Sherburn Village have expressed their determination to fight Labour plans to close the local Leisure Centre.

Cllr Stuart Walton, Chair of the Parish Council and long-time campaigner for play and leisure equipment in Sherburn, said " I am horrified that I have to read about these proposals in the newspaper. Sherburn Leisure Centre is well used by people in the village and the surrounding area. We will fight to keep the facility open."

Stuart Walton is also Chair of Sherburn Outdoor Action for Kids (Sherburn OAK) a group that has raised £160,000 to provide outdoor play facilities on the Leisure Centre site.

Stuart said, "A huge amount of effort has gone into raising the money needed to provide outdoor gym facilites next to the sports centre. If the council plan to demolish the centre, what will happen to this equipment. The Council seem to have devised these plans without any real consideration of their effect."

Cllr Carol Woods, one of the county councillors for Sherburn ward said "This is not all about government cuts. Since the Unitary council took over running the Leisure centre from Durham City Council the overall cost has risen 38%. This just shows that Labour have mismanaged the finances of our leisure centre in the same way as they mismanaged the country's finances.

"It is important that leisure and sport facilities are available to everyone and I think the council should look at getting tighter financial control and making savings before they think about closure."

Cllr Maureen Wood said "We will be asking the council to look at ways of making savings and working with us to keep the centre open.

"There is a huge amount of support for the leisure centre in the area from local residents and we will be fighting on their behalf to save the centre from closure."

ENDS

Notes: Sherburn Leisure centre costs have risen from £202K to £279K ( projected outturn for 2010-2011).