BREAKING: Meden sports centre WILL be closing to the public

Meden Sports Centre is to close as Mansfield District Council has decided to withdraw from managing the facility.

Mansfield District Council’s portfolio holder for Environment took the delegated decision on today (Tuesday, February 21) to withdraw from management of Meden Sports Centre.

The move to cease current management arrangements will take effect in April 2018 and could result in the loss of the provision if no other solution is found.

Cllr Andrew Tristram, Portfolio Holder for the Environment said: “This decision was not taken lightly. Continuing with the management of Meden Sports Centre is not an option for us.

“We have considered the impact on the community and will look to assist Nottinghamshire County Council and others, including the Mansfield District Leisure Trust, to signpost and, where we can, deliver new programmes of activity in the community to maintain well-being and lifestyles.”

Warsop leisure centre closure threat

Meden Sports Centre swimming pool could be closed for months, council announces

Meden Sports Centre is owned by Nottinghamshire County Council who said the pool will likely close in April 2018 and the sports hall will continue to be used by Meden School students but will no longer be open to the public.

Mayor Kate Alsop, Labour MP Alan Meale and local councillors answered questions at a meeting at Meden School on Friday, February 17 and were met with strong local support fo the centre.

Leader of the council’s Labour Group, Coun Sonya Ward said after the meeting: “People were out in force for the meeting. What came through was that Meden Baths really matters to people and that Warsop feels overlooked.

“It’s very sad news for Warsop and the surrounding areas. It’s clear people in Warsop feel that they haven’t had their fair share of resources, and that the community really values Meden Baths.

“I understand that 12 months notice will have to be given, and during that period we will be pressing for the council to actively seek funding to provide decent leisure facilities for the people of Warsop, as they do for the people of Mansfield and Mansfield Woodhouse.”

A public consultation questionnaire found the majority of those who responded use the facility on a weekly basis, and 82.5 per cent said they would not attend another facility if the centre was to close. However, at least Â£1m of funds is needed to refurbish the 1960s building to keep it in use and plans emerged in November to close the centre as the council said this wasn’t viable.