DEVASTATED – that was the reaction from campaigners fighting to save Houghton Regis Leisure Centre.
Central Bedfordshire Council made the final decision to axe the facility and save £172,000 as part of the budget cuts agreed at the full council meeting on Thursday.
The move was a bitter blow for members of the Houghton Regis Leisure Centre Action Group (HRLCAG).
They had hoped their protests and petition would save the centre.
Group spokeswoman Kay Hudgell told the Gazette: “We are absolutely devastated by the decision. The centre means so much to the community, both old and young people, the schools and the clubs.
“A lot of these clubs are going to have to close because there are no other facilities in the area for them.
“We are very upset that there was no consultation. Saving money is the priority and it was a very easy option to close the centre.
“With the contract ending at the end of this year it was an easy thing for them to say.”
Many of the HRLCAG campaigners used the Let’s Talk Together meeting at Bedford Square Community Centre on Monday night to air their views.
Kay asked deputy leader of the council Richard Stay in a public forum why the authority have recently spent more than £150,000 to refurbish its offices but cannot save the centre.
The councillor replied: “The contracts were placed about 18 months ago and we had a commitment to do that and the business case demonstrated a payback over a very short space of time.
“I question if we would have signed those contracts today.”
Councillor David McVicar also spoke at the meeting and said although the decision has been made to close the leisure centre, all hope is not lost.
He told the audience: “It is true to say that we are closing the leisure centre but we are still working behind the scenes with the college and other interested parties to see if there is a way forward.
“We have found a way forward with Sandy Leisure Centre from interested parties so we hope to be able to do the same for Houghton Regis.”
HRLCAG are hoping that if a Central Bedfordshire university technical college is introduced in Houghton Regis, the investment may include a reprieve for the centre.
Chairman Tony Spinks said: “It may be that they help to develop the leisure centre on the back of that. But nobody knows if Central Bedfordshire College wants to take on the leisure centre.
“We are trying to keep the pot boiling and we want people to tell us what we can do to help. A lot of people would give time to help if that’s what is needed to keep the centre open.”
