Leisure centre's stay of execution

The under-threat Willenhall Leisure Centre has now been given an extra six-month stay of execution.

Councillors and campaigners backing the centre were told that if they did not come up with a "satisfying" solution to the funding crisis affecting the centre in three months, the centre would be closed immediately.

Walsall Council's cabinet granted the closure postponement with a repeat warning to "use it or lose it"' to dozens of visitors to its meeting yesterday.

Council leader Mike Bird said: "This is not a reprieve for Willenhall Leisure Centre. As of today there will be a stay of execution of six months maximum.

"Willenhall councillors have been very vocal is saying this is a disgrace, which is fair enough. If you think you can solve the problem with Willenhall baths then we will listen. We sincerely hope you will come up with a solution.

"The people of Willenhall have got to be told - 'Use it or lose it. We can't afford to subsidise £4.54 per person who goes into that centre.

"It's down to the people of Willenhall and the Willenhall councillors to come up with a solution."

"After three months, if the report coming back to cabinet is not satisfactory, the leisure centre will be out of the door, let's be patently clear."

Campaigners fighting to save the centre from the axe made an 'impassioned plea' to the leader of Walsall Council Mike Bird earlier this year.

The Bath Street building, used by swimmers, sequence dancers and sports clubs, has been earmarked for closure as part of £12million of council savings over the next financial year.