Leisure centre users' fury at closure plans

Willenhall Leisure Centre users today voiced anger over "devastating" new council plans to close it as part of drastic cost-cutting measures.

They accused council bosses of "picking on the soft options".

Plans to axe the Bath Street facility have been announced as part of a £11.2 million savings programme. More than 100 posts will be shed and council tax will increase by 4.5 per cent under the plans. But families using Willenhall Leisure Centre said they were determined to save the site.

A protest group has already been set up on social networking website Facebook.

Michelle Follows, aged 34, from nearby Noose Lane, takes her daughters, two-year-old Millie and six-year-old Katelan, to swimming lessons at the centre.

"It will be devastating for the town if they close it," she said. "We use it all the time, because we've got a leisure card so it's free swimming lessons. We shouldn't have to travel for miles to use the school pools, and they won't have as much space anyway."

Brian and Valerie Thomas, aged 72 and 69, from Chestnut Drive, Wombourne, play badminton at the centre and take their granddaughter Rebecca Taylor, of Ferndon Gardens, Willenhall, to swimming lessons there.

Mr Thomas said: "Our granddaughter was in shock and said lots of people use it. It seems like the council just want to pick on the soft option again."

Ian Savage, 45, and 11-year-old daughter Jade Savage, from Willenhall Road, are also regulars. Mr Savage said: "Willenhall always seems to bear the brunt of these things."

Carl Miles, aged 36, takes nine-year-old daughter Amy Miles and six-year-old son Ethan Miles, of Western Avenue, Bentley, to swimming lessons at the centre.

"I don't know what they're going to do now," he said. "I sometimes wonder what we're paying our council tax for."