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Willenhall closure “sheer vandalism” says MP
MP David Winnick has blasted council plans to close Willenhall Leisure Centre as “sheer vandalism” and that Walsall Council are “spitting in the face of its residents”.
At a packed protest meeting at the Bath Street venue on Friday night, the member for Walsall North told furious leisure centre users that there was no justification in closing the venue. He acknowledged that all Local Authorities are facing tough budget decisions, but said that it makes no sense to cut facilities in the areas that need them most. The closure of the popular centre is part of Walsall’s Draft Budget proposals aimed at saving £11.2 million which will also see a rise in council tax of 4.5%.
Labour representative for Willenhall South, Councillor Sean Coughlan told the meeting that Walsall’s ruling Conservative cabinet claimed that closure was based on “pure economics” and that Willenhall Leisure Centre did not provide “value for money”. In the last year, the number of people using the facility has risen by 17%. “There are some people in the council who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing” he said.
The town centre swimming pool is used by 12 schools across the Willenhall and Bentley area for swimming lessons and other popular activities include ballroom and sequence dancing, badminton, indoor bowls, aerobics and a fitness centre. Councillor Coughlan said that the venue attracted more visitors aged over 60 than Bloxwich and Darlaston Leisure Centres put together.
Ballroom and Sequence dancers Brenda and Harry Hale of Thompson Street dance at the hall on Saturday nights. “Willenhall Leisure Centre has one of the best dance floors in the Midlands” said Brenda. Husband Harry added: “Anywhere between 80 and 100 people attend on a Saturday night. It is a major social event for people in our age group. Closing the centre would take away three parts of our social life.”
Gwyn Davies, Chair of Walsall Swimming Club, said: “It is laughable that the government tells us that the 2012 Olympics will give a tremendous boost for British sport, yet this council wants to close swimming facilities.
Because of the lack of water time, potential national and world class swimmers are being forced to train elsewhere. The council are quick to remind us that the likes of Nick Gillingham and Ellie Simmons are from Walsall, but Nick had to train in Birmingham and Ellie is now based in Cardiff.”
After the meeting, Councillor Coughlan told The YamYam: “The meeting was really successful and was a great start to our campaign to save the centre. The breadth of views was fantastic. This is not just about a swimming pool, it`s about the future of our town and the future of our community.”
A “Save Willenhall Leisure Centre” page has been set up on the Facebook internet website by Councillor Carl Creaney and has already attracted over 300 members. He said: “Whenever cuts have to be made, Willenhall gets the blunt end of the deal. It`s not just Locksmith`s House but the closure of Sneyd School too.”
Speaking exclusively to The YamYam, Walsall North MP David Winnick said that he was encouraged by the turn-out at the meeting and that it showed the anger felt by local people at the proposed closure. “It is absolute impertinence for Walsall Council to suggest that council tax payers should travel to Wolverhampton to use leisure facilities. Walsall Council will be guilty of sheer vandalism if they close Willenhall Leisure Centre.”