Axe looms over town swimming pools

Fears were raised today over the future of swimming pools in a Black Country borough, after council chiefs said that there were double the amount needed.

Willenhall Leisure Centre is due to close this year and is one of 27 pools across Walsall, but chiefs say that only 12 are required according to a recommended figure put forward by Sport England.

And with tens of millions of pounds expected to be needed at the council over the next few years, bosses today warned leisure facilities would "bear the brunt" of anticipated cuts.

Council leader Councillor Mike Bird said: "Swimming pools cost the council a fortune.

"When you look at how much each user of our swimming pools is subsidised, it is clear that that is not something we can afford to do to the same extent in the future. With the massive cuts in the funding we get from government over the next few years, we expect that leisure facilities will bear the brunt of that.

"The fact is that private leisure facilities manage to run these things a lot cheaper.

"Market forces will ultimately dictate when and if we can continue providing these services."

He said that a comprehensive review of all leisure facilities in Walsall was under way and that the possibility of opening school pools for public use was being looked into.

"One does have to say that a lot of school pools are being used to their full potential," he said.

"But I think a lot depends on the new government we get this year."

Willenhall Councillor Ian Shires said that he feared other pools in the borough could be targeted for closure.

"When you hear them talking about the borough only needing 12 swimming pools, then it's impossible not to worry about what will happen in the future.

"We all know that there will have to be savings made over the next few years, but I would hope that we would look to protect the valuable leisure facilities we have.

"The idea that we make all the school pools open to the public is not going to be one that is easily workable, as most of them are used quite heavily anyway." Recommendations to retain Willenhall Leisure Centre in the short term by making £216,000 worth of savings elsewhere have been rejected.

Councillors have instead opted to try to open up more school pools for public use.

There was confusion last week when new signs were erected in Willenhall pointing to the closure-threatened leisure centre.

Walsall Council defended the signs, saying the plans to shut the centre are not a "done deal".

The proposal to axe the centre is among £12 million of savings outlined by the council for the coming financial year.

A total of £10 million will be slashed from social services budgets over the next three years, while the Grange Golf course has also closed.