Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay, has secured a meeting with GLL’s Regional Director over the future of Polkyth Leisure Centre’s sports hall.
This follows public outcry after the leisure centre operator confirmed its plans to replace half the hall with a permanent soft play area, a move that has stunned many regular users of the site.
Commenting Steve said:
“I am pleased to have secured a meeting with GLL’s Regional Director to discuss further their plans for Polkyth’s sports hall.”
“I was not convinced that they had thought this through when I originally met with their local management. Since then I have had fresh concerns raised with me that this sort of activity, removing vital community facilities such as the sports hall from the heart of a community leisure centre, seems to be a common feature of GLL’s operation of similar places around the country, from Belfast to London.”
“I am concerned that this change was part of GLL’s contract with Cornwall Council. If so why did Cornwall Council allow this to be implemented without any consultation with local councillors or the people who use these facilities on a daily basis?”
“These are all questions that need to be answered and I will be reiterating my demand that any change is put on hold until this is made clear.”
Commenting, Cllr Richard Pears, local Cornwall Councillor for Mount Charles, said:
“I have been shocked by how these changes have been announced, and at the weekend, along with other St Austell area councillors, met with users of the sports hall to discuss their concerns in greater detail.”
“Polkyth is a true community sports facility and should remain as such. We need more places to exercise and have fun in our area, not less. I will continue to make the strongest representations along-side our MP, to Cornwall Council and GLL, that we should keep this facility and the full size indoor sports hall.”