Skip to content or view screen version

City Council intends to Close popular leisure facility

gorge | 12.02.2008 12:35 | Health | Social Struggles

Nottingham City Council have caused upset amoung residents of St Anns and Sneinton by announcing its intention to close one of our oldest and most loved leisure facilities, the Victoria Baths, located in the City Centre adjacent to Sneinton market.

The Evening Post broke the news that Nottingham council will meet on February 19th to discuss an advanced proposal to shut down the 150 year-old leisure facility which includes a gym, two swimming pools, sports hall and an old Turkish style baths.

Victoria Leisure Centre has also played host to various popular local events including Boxing, Wrestling and an annual local real-ale festival, and hosts meetings of the Victoria Park Tenants' and Residents' Association.

Council's executive board are expected to finalise a decision on March the 18th, before accelerating toward an Easter-time closure. A 'customer care' package is proposed to alleviate concerns about the health implications of removing facilities from an area with a below average life expectancy. The basis of this is to offer centre users five vouchers for sports sessions at other leisure centres and refunded bus tickets.

The Post's story prompted a barrage of comments and uproar from residents, who have begun a campaign to prevent the closure.

gorge

Additions

The campaign to stop the closure

14.02.2008 16:53


An active campaign has begun to stop the closure – please go to the address below to find out more and get involved:

www.savevictoriabaths.org.uk

Jonathan
- Homepage: http://www.savevictoriabaths.org.uk


Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

What they say

12.02.2008 18:00

The City Council's statement on the proposal closure is available here:

 http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/sitemap/services/leisure_and_culture/leisurecentres/leisureproposal.htm

They also have a form giving you the opportunity to express your opinion on the proposal:

 http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/www/vlc/vlc.htm

Disillusioned kid


They tried to close victoria&noel st before& build pool on forest rec ground

13.02.2008 04:24

They tried to close victoria & noel st baths so they could more easily build on the forest rec ground. A campaign by locals in both areas & footballers& people living in & maintaining the forest lodge stopped the council before.
Are their plans to build another mega pool & unecessarily shut down easy to get to& relaxing local pools again?

Johnny


Tax

13.02.2008 09:53

You miss out the fact that it costs a fortune to run, and is hardly used.
If you were a tax payer, you'd understand.

Tight Wad
- Homepage: http://CanweGoDutch?


Tight Wad:

13.02.2008 10:19

Please don't make assumptions about whether or not people pay tax.

At this point in my life I contribute little in the way of taxes, but that choice isn't because of the drain of leisure centres on the community chest. It's difficult because I do want leisure centres, but I don't like things like imperial wars, bigger motorways, commercial development and expensive marketing campaigns to make it all seem alright.

..When people choose what they contribute to, we are left with what we really want..

gorge


Not True!!!!!

13.02.2008 13:03

Tight wad, you are wrong!

Lots of my friends use Victoria Leisure Centre straight after using Handel Street Wet Centre.

Its a good place to clean up.

Joey