Leeds sports centre campaigners set for Civic Hall protest

Campaigners opposing the closure of South Leeds Sports Centre will today hold a demonstration outside the Civic Hall in a last-ditch bid to persuade city councillors to change their minds. As reported last week , a report to this afternoon's meeting of the council's powerful executive board recommends the closure of South Leeds Sports Centre in Beeston - but that the authority continues its negotiations with local development trust Tiger 11 for the organisation to take the facilities into community ownership. But local campaigners from the Splashback group are calling on the centre to be kept open for at least the next two months until Tiger 11's bid is revisited at December's executive board meeting. And they have criticised a council officer's report which they say quotes 'unfair' figures about reduced attendances at the centre. Sally Cieslik, of Splashback, said: "The cost of keeping the centre open until December against the cost of closing and securing the premises until the end of the year is small compared to the benefits to the community. "The report quotes some very unfair figures regarding the number of users of the centre. Comparing figures relating to numbers of visits last year with figures for the current year when the centre is open on very reduced hours - for example on Tuesdays it doesn't open until 4pm, most other days it doesn't open until noon and on Saturdays and Sundays it doesn't open at all - does not give a true comparison and should not be used as evidence. "We also know that there are many people who have had to make alternative arrangements for their leisure activities because the current opening hours are no longer convenient to them. When the centre is again fully open we know these people will return." Cieslik said the council should reconsider its position not to provide any financial support to Tiger 11's bid and said there would be 'massive long-term benefits' to South Leeds if Tiger 11's proposals to refurbish the centre and run it as a community concern were taken forward. She added: "We are very concerned that, once again, the council is dragging its feet, planning to close the centre on a so-called 'temporary basis' and then that vandalism and damage will be such that they can use it as an argument never to open the building again. "We think it is absolutely wrong to even consider demolishing the premises. It is situated in an area of the city where there is no other facility so accessible to residents young, old, disabled or disadvantaged. The physical and mental health of all these groups will cost much more than keeping this centre open over time. "The council seems to have no capacity for joined-up or innovative planning for South Leeds." The council gave the centre a four-month stay of execution back in July to give Tiger 11 time to put together a workable bid. Tiger 11 is still working with the council on that bid. Conservative hits out at 'political stunt' Wetherby Conservative councillor John Procter, shadow executive member for leisure and culture, has criticised the stay of execution as a political stunt that has cost council tax payers in Leeds. He said that, despite a four-month reprieve costing taxpayers £129,000 negotiations had Tiger 11 have failed to produce an agreement that would see them take over the running of the centre. Procter said: "I am somewhat saddened, but not surprised that the Labour Group-led administration has decided to close South Leeds Sports Centre. "The issues that informed the previous administration's decision to close the centre way back in June have not changed. "Unfortunately, local residents have been duped into believing that the council would be able to save the day, despite the compelling evidence for closure. In these tough economic times, tough decisions need to be made. This is not the time to give people false hope, no matter how unpalatable the truth may be. "This piece of political theatre has cost the council tax payers of Leeds, at the lowest estimate, £129,000. That's a whopping £8,000 a week. "It is wholly irresponsible to play politics with public finances in this way. It goes without saying that all political parties would love to see South Leeds Sports Centre remain open, but the deal on the table has to be right for the people of Leeds. "I will look on with interest to see how negotiations with Tiger 11 develop in the future." 'Vital facility' in south Leeds Labour councillor Adam Ogilvie, executive board member for leisure, said: "This centre has undoubtedly been a vital facility to the community in south Leeds over many years. "This is why we took the decision earlier this year to keep the centre open during the summer period so that residents could continue to use the facilities while talks were held with Tiger 11. "We will continue to talk to Tiger 11 while they develop a proposal that they can take forward to the executive board, outlining how they can viably run the centre in the future." Jeremy Morton, of Tiger 11, last week said that he 'wasn't unhappy' at the current situation regarding his organisation's bid and that he will continue to work with council officers. What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below. I'm aiming to live blog from the full council meeting this afternoon.