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CENTRE
IS HIGHLY SUBSIDISED, SAYS COUNCIL
"It
is estimated it would cost several million pounds to maintain the Janet
Adegoke in the long run. In view of this, we have decided to close the
existing centre and draw up plans for a new state-of-the-art facility",
says Cllr
David Williams, deputy for education.
A new pool on the site of the Janet
Adegoke Centre, will form part of the redevelopment of the Wormholt
and White City area. Building on the success of Fulham Pools the council
is embarking on ambitious plans to bring modern swimming facilities
alongside new retail development in the north of the borough.
To make way for the new development, the Janet Adegoke leisure centre
will close at the end of April. Rising costs allied with falling use
mean that every visit to the centre costs the council a subsidy of £6
for every person using it.
"The Janet Adegoke Centre is highly subsidised. It requires an
extra £1.3 million a year to cover the shortfall in numbers using
it", says Cllr David Williams, deputy for education. "Moreover,
after 20 years it is coming to the end of its useful life - a sad indictment
of the building standards of the 1980s which we witnessed too at the
old Fulham Pools. It is estimated it would cost several million pounds
to maintain the Janet Adegoke in the long run. In view of this, and
based on the positive experience at Fulham Pools, we have decided to
close the existing centre and draw up plans for a new state-of-the-art
facility."
During construction of the new pool the council will provide transport
to Fulham Pools for local residents, schoolchildren and swimming clubs.
The council will endeavour to find suitable, alternative employment
for staff.
The council will regenerate the site and is looking at a range of options
to complement a new swimming pool and modern leisure facilities.