The CEO of an organisation that has been operating a weekly social event at St Crispin’s Leisure Centre has voiced concerns about a lack of consultation over whether her activities are able to continue.
Wokingham Borough Council is set to decide on the future use of the centre on London road later this month.
One recommendation is for it to be leased to the operator of the adjacent school to fill a predicted gap in secondary school places.
A consultation took place earlier this year although Andrea McCombie, chief executive of The Ark, claimed her organisation was not formally consulted.
The Ark, based in Bracknell Forest, works with people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, with their carers, and with young people who are not in education, employment or training.
Earlier this week, Andrea wrote to the leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr Stephen Conway, and fellow councillors to express her frustration.
She said: “The Ark has been running the Friday Night Project every Friday evening at the centre for more than 10 years.
“Friday Night Project is a weekly social event/disco for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
“We appreciate that, as councillors, you have some difficult decisions to make.
“My problem isn’t really with the fact you may have to shut the centre – it is more to do with the communication – or more specifically the lack of communication – we have received from yourselves and Places Leisure, and what appears to be a
complete disregard of the views of the 80-100 disabled people who attend every week.”
“Friday Night Project is, for many of those who attend, the highlight of their week and, for some, the only social life they have.”
She added the people who attend come mainly from Wokingham and Bracknell, so finding a suitable, affordable alternative venue that is both large enough, able to accommodate weekly and is convenient for transport from Bracknell and Wokingham would be difficult.
She said that her organisation had received no direct communication from Wokingham Borough Council or Places Leisure,
“I found out about the issue via a social media post. I went hunting online and came across the consultation and completed it. Still no contact!
“When making your decision, I think you need to consider that the sudden stopping of Friday Night Project would be devastating to both the individuals and to the charity.”
She urged Wokingham Borough Council to communicate, and to work with The Ark to ensure it has time to find a new location, if needed, and that we can prepare people for any changes.”
Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for sport and leisure, Cllr Ian Shenton, said: “I am surprised The Ark does not feel it has been consulted on the proposal for St Crispins, as one of my colleagues attended the Friday Night Project during the consultation, on July 28.
He added the decision on the future of the Leisure Centre has not yet been taken.
“Should that decision be to hand over the centre to the school to enable them to expand, the leisure centre would have to close to the public during the school day.
“However, the school has already indicated its willingness to keep community activities running outside school hours.
“We will get in touch with The Ark, and will urge them to pick up the phone next time they have any questions or concerns.”
