FIGHT TO SAVE SPORTS CENTRE GOES ON
October 4, 2006 4:55 PM
Derby Liberal Democrat's are continuing the fight to save Lancaster Sports Centre. The Labour/Conservative alliance are trying to close this important local service.
The fight goes on. That is the message from Derby Liberal Democrat's tonight following the decision of the Labour/Conservative Cabinet to close Lancaster Sport's Centre.
The Liberal Democrats have "called in" the Cabinet's decision to close the sports centre. This means that the decision by the ruling Labour/Conservative Cabinet will be subject to further scrutiny and questioning by councillors.
Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Derby City Council Hilary Jones said "If the Labour/Conservative alliance thinks we are giving up the fight to save Lancaster Sports Centre, they have another thing coming. This is a vital local and city facility. At a time when the Labour government nationally has identified a serious problem with obesity, it is absurd that here in Derby Labour are trying to close one of the city's most accessible sports facilities.
"There are sound grounds for opposing this closure. Lancaster Sports Centre caters well for people from all backgrounds and communities. It is used by many sports clubs in Derby. It has a special women's gym. It is accessible for disabled people. There is massive public support for Lancaster Sports Centre, thousands of people have signed petitions to save it from closure.
"The financial arguments put forward by Labour to justify closing it just don't seem to add up. The subsidy for Lancaster and the upgrade costs, if needed, are generally lower than they would be for other sports centres.
"Perhaps more than anything, people in Derby feel they are being ignored. Labour announced this closure back in June, before there had been any chance for scrutiny of the decision, consultation with users or real considerations of the alternatives. Since campaigners have continued to have their arguments ignored, consultation has only been with clubs not with individual users and too little time has been allowed for alternative management arrangements to be put in place.
No wonder people do not trust this Labour/Conservative administration to work for the benefit of the people of Derby."
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