Hundreds Protest Against Closure Of Wrexham’s Leisure Centres

Hundreds of campaigners gathered outside Plas Madoc Leisure Centre today to take part in a protest against the closure of two of Wrexham’s leisure centres.

An estimated 700 people took part in the ‘noisy campaign’ that took place at midday this afternoon. Locals also formed a human chain around the leisure centre.

The protest was organised by the ‘Save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre’ group in reaction to proposals that the leisure centre be demolished.

It is estimated that £857,000 could be saved by closing Plas Madoc and by handing back dual use leisure facilities to schools.

However campaigners who are fighting to keep Plas Madoc and Waterworld open have said the scheme would only save £97,000 a year.

In a meeting last December, Sports Consultants recommended the closure of the leisure centre, stating: Plas Madoc is considered to have reached the end of its designed life and spending £1.7m on the recommended work is not considered good value for money.”

It is also proposed that Waterworld is closed and demolished, and replaced with a new £11.9m centre, as and when funds are available.

The future of the leisure centre in Acrefair was set to be decided at the Council Executive Board on January 14th, however the public consultation period has now been extended until January 31st.

The Leisure Centre decision will now go before the Executive board on February 11th. However the deferral and extension to the consultation period, has led many people to think that the Council has done a U-Turn on the closure of Plas Madoc.

(Photo sent to us on Twitter by Claire Louise Mellor)