Campaigners vow to fight to keep Ashington Leisure Centre

Posted by The Journal on Jan 19, 10 09:04 AM in News

Campaigners have vowed to continue their battle to save a Northumberland leisure centre.

County council bosses had hoped to save more than ÃÂ£155,000 by cutting cash destined for Ashington Leisure Centre, but after a fierce public backlash they promised to keep the facility open for another year.

John McCormack, Kathy Tate and Neil Foster of the South East Northumberland Trades Union Council

From left: John McCormack, Kathy Tate and Neil Foster of the South East Northumberland Trades Union Council

However, for supporters of the campaign, launched by Ashington teenager Adam Nichol, 14, to keep the centre permanently open, the fight is far from over.

Determined residents last night gathered at Ashington Leisure Centre for a packed public show of solidarity. Jill Kelly, pictured below, instructor at Ashington Karate Club, who works for one of the many organisations that uses the centre, said: "We are pleading for ÃÂ£155,000 to run the centre and around ÃÂ£800,000 to put the centre right.

"Why are we pleading when Wansbeck Council gave Northumberland Council ÃÂ£21m? - much more than any other council in Northumberland.

"Why are we having to grovel? That's our money, where's the rest of it?"

Jill Kelly of Ashington Karate Club Labour member of Ashington town council, John McCormack, who chairs the South East Northumberland Trades Union Council, said: "They've agreed to fund the subsidy for
one year. That's good. That's progress and it shows that progress can be made.

"But we want a guarantee of long-term revenue commitment for the centre and investment in the centre."

The campaign also now has the backing of Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy, football hero
Jack Charlton and Durham fast bowler and England Ashes ace Steve Harmison.

Supporters of the centre are now planning to lobby county councillors at the Northumberland County Council executive meeting on January 29 and at the full council meeting on February 3.

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