Campaigners have given a cautious welcome to latest news on what the future could hold for public leisure centres in both Dunstable and Houghton Regis.
There has been controversy over one potential scenario. to close both facilities and launch a new, joint centre to serve both towns.
Houghton Regis Leisure Centre Action Group has previously said that would be “a disastrous decision from both leisure centres’ point of view”.
But a different scenario seems to be gaining favour, judging by a report to a Central Bedfordshire Council committee.
A number of scenarios are being weighed up as the council puts together a “leisure strategy” for the future.
The latest report says a “preferred leisure facility provision” is emerging.
That could involve plans to refurbish Dunstable Leisure Centre, and considering reopening the pool at the Houghton centre in the short-term.
Longer-term, there could be plans for a new leisure centre for Houghton, with a six-lane 25metre pool and a six-court sports hall, in view of the planned Houghton Regis North growth area.
The Houghton action group says it would support the idea for the new centre – if it was built on the same site as the existing leisure facility.
It urges people to attend a meeting of the council’s sustainable communities overview and scrutiny committee, at 10am on December 13.
Ideas for the leisure strategy will be discussed at the meeting, in the council chamber in Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands.
The report to the committee refers to possibly testing the market over reopening the existing Houghton pool.
Action group campaigners said this week: “Give us the chance to prove the pool can work. You gave us the chance with the centre and we have proved it, now let us prove it with the pool.”
They fought hard to help win a reprieve for the Houghton centre when it faced possible closure.
Now the group is calling for the pool to be reopened as soon as possible “so that its viability can be proven”.
Once councillors have discussed the report next week, their comments will go to the executive committee.
Campaigners want people to voice views by writing to the council, or emailing the council team at leisure.strategy@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
The action group said: “Until the final decision on the leisure strategy is made, it is important to keep showing Central Bedfordshire Council how important the swimming pool was to the whole community, and how the loss of it has impacted on the community as a whole.
“It is for this reason that the residents of Houghton Regis and any other previous users of the pool must attend the meeting on December 13 to stress the importance of reopening the pool at the earliest convenience.”
The group would also like to hear people’s views, by email at hrlcag@yahoo.com, or via Facebook groups page Houghton Regis Leisure Centre Action Group.
People are also invited to attend the action group’s meeting at 7.15pm on Monday, December 10.
It will take place at St Vincent’s Social Centre, Hammersmith Gardens.
They can also contact the group for possible help if they need a lift to the December 13 meeting in Chicksands.