Councillors are set to discuss plans to slash opening times at Lichfield’s King Edward VI Leisure Centre.
A report to be examined by the local authority’s Operational Services, Leisure, Tourism & Communications (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee tomorrow (September 19) will outline the impact of reduced times.
At present the centre opens:
- Monday to Friday – 9am to 10pm
- Saturday – 9am to 6pm
- Sunday – 9am to 9pm
But as part of Fit for the Future plans to plug a black hole in the council’s budget, new opening times are being suggested to save around £50,000 a year:
- Monday to Friday – 4pm to 10pm
- Saturday and Sunday – 9am to 4.30pm
King Edward VI School will continue to have access to the facilities during the day in term time, but other users now face moving sites or seeing their sessions axed altogether.
Exercise classes are likely to move to Friary Grange, the report states, while day care service users will also move across the city.
However, Tumble Teddies parent and toddler sessions – described on the council’s website as “loved by parents and kids alike” – will go from April 2014, while indoor bowls will also be axed.
The council’s report suggests that three duty officer posts will be at risk if the changes go ahead, while receptionist posts will also not be required. The supervisor posts for the Tumble Teddies sessions will also be lost as part of the changes.
There is also a warning that the council could pull out of the King Edward VI Leisure Centre facility completely.
“The current refurbishment of the wetside changing rooms and new reception at Friary Grange and the consequent long term commitment to that facility is helping to embed the centre as the primary focus for council sporting provision in the city, as opposed to King Edward VI,” the report added.
“Given the ongoing financial pressures on the council over the next few years, the views of the Committee are sought as to whether the district council ought to consider enacting its right to give three years’ notice to withdraw from the facility.
“It is also proposed that a consultation exercise be designed and commenced that will examine whether it would be sensible for the council to exit its involvement at King Edward VI Leisure Centre.”
The scrutiny meeting will take place at 6pm tomorrow in the Council Chamber.
