Kentish Express Ashford & District
Leisure centre set to shut after contractor pulls out
Incoming operator withdraws two weeks before start date
The future of a popular leisure centre in Ashford looks uncertain after the scheduled operator pulled out just after it was due to take over.
The managing contract at Kingsnorth Recreation Centre in Field View, Park Farm, held by Ashford Leisure Trust (ALT) – which also manages the Julie Rose Stadium and The Stour Centre – ends tomorrow (Friday).
The Kingsnorth centre was set to be taken over by a new operator, Slice-of-Life, on Saturday, but the company pulled out with less than two weeks to go, meaning the facility is likely to be closed by the centre’s trust at the weekend.
Ashford Leisure Trust has confirmed jobs at the centre are now at risk. Chief executive Emma Wood said: “I can confirm that, regrettably, ALT will not be managing the operation at Kingsnorth Recreation Centre from this Saturday.
“Our contract with the Kingsnorth Recreation Centre Trust to manage the centre ends on Friday March 31 and has not been renewed.
“At this stage, we are unable to confirm the future of the site. We had commenced the process of transferring our 15 members of staff employed at the centre to a new operator.
“Unfortunately, last week, with only two weeks left until the end of our contract, ALT was advised that this operator had pulled out of the process.
“The KRC Trust chairman has advised that there is no other incoming operator.
“Therefore, the KRC Trust is likely to close the centre from Saturday, April 1.
“The situation ALT now finds itself in is deeply unfortunate and has been created by the KRC Trust.
“Our staff currently working at Kingsnorth Recreation Centre are now at risk of redundancy through no fault of their own.
“We are making every effort where possible to find the staff alternative positions within ALT, but it is highly unlikely that we will be able to absorb all of the staff members into new positions.”
The Kingsnorth Recreation Centre Trust did not respond to a KE request for a comment.
‘This situation has been created by the recreation centre trust’