Fight not over to save Bishop's Castle's SpArC leisure centre

Campaigners behind a drive to keep Bishop's Castle's SpArC leisure centre open say there is a "great deal" in their favour" despite the council's new Sports Facilities Strategy confirming it needs to be "considered for closure".

Don't Let The SpArC Go Out campaigners have said community support for the centre, which includes the town's swimming pool and theatre "is being recognised" – and plans to enter into talks over community management of venue are in the pipeline.

They said it is now important for the people of south west Shropshire to respond to a consultation on strategy, which finishes on September 30.

The Shropshire Council document says: "In the south, both SpArC and Church Stretton pools are small, costly to operate, require significant investment, and serve very small communities, so have low throughput. Both of these need to be considered for closure."

Funding for both will be withdrawn in full by April 2018.

Prior to that, Teme Leisure, the organisation that runs centres in Bishop's Castle, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer and Ludlow, will receive 25 per cent less money in the next financial year.

However, it adds: "The SpArC pool is in better condition and there could be more opportunity to work in partnership with a local organisation to take on the operation of this pool and the other adjacent sports facilities."

Jean Shirley of the Don't Let The SpArC Go Out campaign, said supporters were in a strong position.

She said: "We will be able to make our points with some conviction, as we have a great deal in our favour. The membership of SpArC is steadily increasing and we have collected £33,000 of our £50,000 crowdfunding target.

"In addition, SpArC has been shortlisted for a £13,000 pool cover by M&S Energise and we have applied to register a legal charity in support of SpArC."

Fellow campaigner Richard Whately added: "Our income-generating group is busy setting up more events for the near future and we have visits planned to successful community-run leisure centres in other parts of the country.

"Our local schools are working on the financial basis of their use of the centre and Shropshire Council has promised to help us with business planning.

"We have two related plans in the pipeline – the first to carry out building works to reduce running costs sustainably and help increase usage, the second to consult with local parishes which represent SpArC users, to raise revenue."

He added: "Meetings both with Shropshire Council and Teme Leisure have demonstrated that our community presence is being recognised.

"We need to explore both community management and a combination of community and leisure company management for the centre, while still making the case for Shropshire Council funding."

Public comments on Shropshire Council's Sports Facilities Strategy can be sent to facilitiesstrategy@shropshire.gov.uk