Cuts in opening hours could save centre

Slashing opening hours and reducing lesson timetables has been proposed to save cash-strapped Willenhall Leisure Centre from the axe, it emerged today.

The plans would drastically reduce costs for the centre in Bath Street and might secure its future.

The cost-cutting proposal by Walsall Council's leisure department and councillors is the most concrete of the options put forward so far to save the building from closure.

They include opening the centre an hour later at 7.30am rather than 6.30am and closing earlier in the evening. It has also been proposed that the number of lessons be reduced.

The ideas will be aired at a public meeting at the centre on March 2 at 6.30pm.

Campaigner Diane Coughlan, of Martin Drive, said: "We have got to do something in the short term and if it is going to help in the short term, it has got to be looked at and cannot just be kicked into touch.

"We have got to make savings otherwise the centre is gone. We have got three months to do what the council has had three years to do."

The centre, which is facing closure as part of plans by the council to save £12 million, was given a reprieve for campaigners to spend three months finding ways to save it.

Jamie Morris, executive director for neighbourhood services, said: "Officers from leisure services met ward councillors last week to share some ideas for Willenhall Leisure Centre.

"Local councillors will be trying to identify ways in which the centre could be run more efficiently."