Plans to close Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre have sparked a furious backlash by district residents.
As first revealed on www.the-resident.co.uk on Tuesday, a council-commissioned report recommends that the centre be demolished after the contract with DC Leisure runs out at the end of November next year.
The report was this week backed by Cllr Jonathan Chowen, district council Cabinet member for leisure, who said the centre faced a repair bill of up to £1.5 million and other leisure facilities were available in the area.
A large part of the site is owned by Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council, but district council chief executive Tom Crowley said it was too early to say what it might be used for or whether Tesco was interested in developing it.
Closure of the 25-year-old leisure centre is likely to be approved by the Conservative-dominated district council at meetings on Thursday next week and on December 21.
But the expected decision leaves an uncertain future for sports clubs including Broadbridge Heath Football Club, Horsham Blue Star (athletics), Horsham Joggers, Horsham Hockey Club, Horsham Arun Badminton Club and Sussex Thunder (American football). British Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls train at the centre, which the Grenada Olympic Association will use as a training camp for two or three weeks before the London 2012 Olympics.
Users of the centre’s other facilities, including Kinetika Gym, are also less than impressed by Cllr Chowen’s assertion that leisure facilities in the district and just outside – at the K2, Crawley – have improved since the centre opened.
Members of the Horsham Facebook page were overwhelmingly hostile to the plans after we broke the story online.
Sean Girdlestone said: “It may save money in the long run, but as we can see from rising obesity and lack of fitness the future costs to treat such illnesses would be greater.”
Horsham Joggers member Jason Walker agreed, adding: “It will have a huge impact on many local clubs. It is criminal that the only track available in Horsham could close. In this age where obesity is rife, the council are impacting this in the wrong way. What are they thinking of?”
Jo Bull said: “What great timing. (In) Olympic year, when more people will be inspired to take up sport, Horsham council will close a facility down. Somebody tell the Grenada Olympic Team that when they have finished using it for their pre-Olympic training the council will start digging up the track.”
Karen Taylor asked: “Why are Horsham District Council closing everything down or stopping people from being able to enjoy themselves?!”
Alan Arnold mused: “It may look a bit dated, but I imagine it has been lacking investment and repair deliberately to justify its closure. After all, why replace it when they can just pretend the Pavilions is good enough or tell people to go to Crawley. HDC haven’t got a clue.”
Mark O’Connell said of the leisure centre: “That’s the only thing Broadbridge Heath has got in it!”
Consultants Hywel Griffiths have spent about two months preparing their leisure needs study, which cost the district council £6,000.
The study concludes that the district is well provided for with a range of facilities and that leisure participation rates are above the national average. The only shortfalls are seen as allotments and indoor tennis, while there is a sufficient or excessive supply of golf courses, swimming pools, playing fields and synthetic turf pitches.
It also concludes that there is an over-supply of sports halls and fitness gyms in the north of the district.
Cllr Chowen said: “As very many people will appreciate, Horsham District Council has a strong record of providing modern leisure facilities. They are part of what makes the district such a marvellous place to live.
“If the decision is made to close the venue, I am personally committed to working with the existing key users of the leisure centre with regard to finding alternative provision for their activities. I feel very comfortable with the report and its conclusions.”
The issue will be discussed by the district council’s Cabinet on Thursday next week (5.30pm) and by the full council on December 21. Both meetings are open to the public.
Agendas and further information are available at www.horsham.gov.uk/council/agendas-reports.aspx or by phoning 01403 215123.
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On the 15th of November 2011 Horsham District Council announced intentions to decommission Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre, the home of the Sussex Thunder for the past 3 years.
In 2008 Sussex Thunder brokered a deal with Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre to host all of their home games. After being evicted from Withdean Sports ground a few years ago to make way for Brighton & Hove Albion FC, the Thunder have struggled to secure a premier gameday facility.
Broadbridge Heath Leisure centre is highly regarded across the American Football community as one of the finest facilities for the amateur sport.
It is without a doubt sad news that Horsham District Council have decided this future for this premier facility that provides for its local community.
Please Sign our petition at http://sos.sussexthunder.com and show your support.