Kentish Express Ashford & District
CENTRE CLOSURE CONFIRMED
MORE THAN 100 JOBS TO GO AS STOUR SHUTS FOR A YEAR
A last-ditch petition to stop a leisure centre’s year-long closure has proven unsuccessful.
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has approved a 12-month, £6.5 million refurbishment programme at the Stour Centre, which will see a climbing wall and new pool features installed.
Gym facilities will also be extended, and changing rooms revamped during the scheme.
The controversial decision to close the site replaces an alternative option, which ABC says would have extended the work timeline by nine months but would have allowed continued public use of the facilities.
Announced on June 30, residents were outraged at the complete lack of warning over the proposal - not least about the 115 job cuts being made due to the closure.
Another main source of annoyance was the £17 million remodelling work which was completed only 13 years ago.
After being discussed behind closed doors due to business-sensitive information, the vote to close the centre for a year was approved by 31 for, seven against and two abstentions.
The decision came despite a strong effort by the public, who appealed for the longer-term renovation programme to take place rather than a shorter but full closure.
A petition opposing the full shutdown was organised by Unison, and garnered more than 1,500 signatures in only a few days.
The petition was handed to ABC last Thursday afternoon
– hours before the virtual full council meeting, during which the proposal was discussed and voted on.
Despite the popularity of the petition, councillors voted for the full closure, which will run until mid-2021.
An ABC spokesman said works are “due to start shortly” at the site.
In a statement released last week, the authority said it is “vital we invest to rebuild the offer and provide a modern and safe environment as soon as possible”.
See letters on pages 24-25.