VIDEO: Creswell Leisure centre could face closure

Creswell Leisure Centre could be closing down according to Bolsover District Council. Picture: Andrew Roe

The council will be asking local people for their views on a proposal to cease its current operation at the leisure centre in order to provide a new pool at Clowne sports centre.

The council claims that the leisure centre, which was built 90 years ago, needs investment in excess of £300,000 over the next five years just to maintain its current operations.

But resident Kevin Jones, of Eyre Street, said closing the facility would be a blow to the village.

He told the Guardian: “Creswell is regarded as a deprived area and the closure would not be in the interest of residents - the closure would have a serious impact on those who use the pool for health reasons.”

“My mother, who is almost as old as the baths, learnt to swim there - as did myself, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

“It’s the only decent establihsment Creswell has left and I feel the residents of our village and surrounding areas need to fight for the pool to remain open. It’s our heritage and in our blood.”

Coun Ann Syrett, of Bolsover District Council, said that nothing was ‘set in stone’ at present and other options were being looked into.

She added: “Initial costings have shown that if we improve the facilities at Clowne and cease our current operations at Creswell Leisure Centre, then we could save in excess of four million pounds over the next twenty years.”

“We decided in March 2014 to explore this option further and we will soon be asking for our local residents, service users and potential service users’ views on this proposal. “

“I must stress that this is just a proposal at present.”

“No decision has been made and that’s why we are consulting and asking for people’s views in order to determine the best course of action.”

“Options such as other organisations taking over the management and operation of the facility, operating the facility without a swimming pool or selling it to a private developer are all being looked at.”

It is understood that the questionnaire will be available to complete in July 2014.

The results will be analysed and then fed back to the relevant council committee for a decision to be made.