Hours and prices cut in bid to save sport centre

Opening hours are to be cut and prices for users slashed at Willenhall Leisure Centre in a last-ditch bid to save it from closure, it was announced today.

It is hoped moves will save cash and get more to use the under-threat centre.

The new timetable comes in on April 19 and will see the swimming pool open up to three hours later and close more than two hours earlier on some days.

Prices will be cut at the leisure centre in Bath Street, with swimming sessions, gym membership and fitness classes at a lower rate. Gym membership will fall from £39 to £20 a month.

Some staff will be redeployed to other leisure centres in a last-gasp effort to lower costs at a centreearmarked for closure by Walsall Council as it loses £160,636 a year and has dwindling visitor numbers.

Council bosses agreed to the timetable and pricing structure after meeting Friends of Willenhall Leisure Centre, councillors and users. Results of changes will be reviewed in just over a month's time and if nothing has happened, a decision be made on shutting the centre in August.

More changes will be announced on April 19. These are expected to include a cut to overall opening hours of the centre and not just the pool. The future of all of Walsall's leisure centres is being reviewed.