THE fight to save St. Crispin’s Leisure Centre stepped up a gear this week with Borough councillors involved in a heated debate over its future.
It follows a lengthy public consultation period which started back in July and ends on Monday, September 4.
Hundreds of submissions have been received from individuals and groups who use the centre, some of whom describe the consultation as “a sham” claiming the council has already made up its mind to close St Crispin’s.
In a letter in Wokingham Today, former Conservative councillor Angus Ross called for “clarity over the issues affecting the centre’s future.
He added he did not believe the Carnival Hub could accommodate all the groups which use St Crispin’s as well as those from elsewhere in Wokingham if the centre were to close.
“It is concerning that doubt exists whether this possible closure is the result of the borough council requiring to make savings, contractual issues with Places for People who run the borough’s leisure centres or a substantial reduction in use, or a mixture of all three. It is also confusing whether the usage concern arises from the number of members (a monthly charge) or the usage of the facility (many go on a ‘pay as you go’ basis),” he writes.
“With the ever-increasing population of Wokingham, including the extant permission for 1,850 more homes just across the railway from St Crispin’s (with St Crispin’s School as the designated secondary school), it would be a great loss if this facility were to close.”
In an email to Cllr. Imogen Shepherd-Dubey, the Executive Member for Finance, Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, Leader of the Opposition and the Conservative Group also called for more “transparency” over the costs to run the leisure centre, usage numbers and the reason for the consultation.
She added: “I don’t understand what has provoked this consultation if as you say, the ruling Lib Dem executive don’t have usage numbers, costs or revenue data. You said earlier in another email that this isn’t a finance problem but an issue with conflicting demands on the space – what are these?
“Without this information it’s impossible to say what should happen as we don’t know what the problem is you are trying to solve, if there is one? I think we would all appreciate some clarity before this goes any further.”
In another exchange, former council leader and Coronation ward councillor, Keith Baker, called on Cllr Shepherd-Dubey, to “make public” her claim there were “conflicting demands” for closing St Crispin’s.
He added: “If it was no longer financially viable then Cllrs would expect to see a full business case demonstrating why it is no longer viable and what actions had been considered to recover the situation. Clearly, as you say, it is not anything to do with cost so the logical conclusion is that it is financially viable.
“So, moving on to your reason for possibly shutting the facility. Exactly what are these ‘conflicting demands for the use of this space’? Surely the consultation should be based on every one of these conflicting demands. Let the residents provide input which of them they would like. Please make public what these conflicting demands are.”
Cllr Shepherd-Dubey said: “While I agree that staying on top of our finances is important – it is certainly not the only answer to everything.
“I am sure all will be clear in the report due to be produced at the end of the consultation period.”
Independent Councillor, Gary Cowan, told Cllr Shepherd-Dubey “it would be interesting to see if any Lib Dems were prepared to ‘put their heads above the parapet’ and say they are against the closure”.
He suggested the ruling group did not care if the 50-strong squash club which has led the fight to save St Crispin’s had to fold. He also claimed the site could continue as a leisure centre, adding: “It is actually what our tax paying residents want. Lib Dems don’t do that.”
Cllr Shepherd-Dubey hit back saying: “Decisions have to be made in the best interests of the residents … and I would expect that to be the case here. We have limited resources and on many things in this Council – we cannot just carry on as we were.
“What is clear is, something has to change with St Crispin’s – or we would not be having a consultation to start with. However, I, for one, resent any implications that there is anything improper happening.
“The consultation will provide useful information that we need as part of the decision-making process.”
Nick Dyer, spokesperson for the squash club which fears it will close if the leisure centre does, also asked Cllr Shepherd-Dubey why it was “clear that something has to change with St Crispin’s”?
“If that is the case why is retaining the status quo listed by the Council in the consultation document – clearly a sop to those who wish to see it remain. What is the evidence of the declining USAGE (ignoring the pandemic influence) that the council cites in its case?
“I have submitted a Freedom of Information Act Request (as yet unanswered) to provide comparative USAGE figures for the various activities (e.g. badminton, martial arts, fitness, squash, five-a-side, racquet ball, table tennis etc. ) over the last five years. As I have previously indicated ‘membership’ numbers are irrelevant.
“Presumably the Council has this data to support its assertion and we look forward to receiving it.”
Cllr Shepherd-Dubey replied: “If we were to keep St Crispin’s open as it is, I am aware that it would require some maintenance and investment. As of this moment, I don’t know exactly what that would involve as it is, no doubt, part of this process of reviewing the leisure centre – but it is fair to say that there would be an element of change.
“As for the leisure centre usage numbers – that is also something I would like to see.”
To take part in the consultation, log on to: engage.wokingham.gov.ukand search for St Crispin’s.
