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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Olimpia Zagnat

Future of John Carroll Leisure Centre in Radford hangs in the balance after shock closure

John Carroll Leisure Centre, Radford, is currently in the hands of Nottingham City Council's property team to examine options for sale. A spokesman for the council gave an update on the development after the once popular centre closed in June 2021.

The move, after budget cuts by the authority, was met with a backlash from residents in March this year. The Denman Street Central building - which housed the centre - was officially declared as surplus by the Sport and Leisure department of Nottingham City Council, paving the way for it to be handed over to the local authority's property department, ahead of its potential sale.

Some local residents said the loss of the centre had affected them. Kathleen Calvert had told Nottinghamshire Live: "I used to go there three or four times a week. I used to bring my grandchildren to the swimming pool.

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"It was in the heart of the community, right on my doorstep - so convenient. It really is a shame." The then 68-year-old, who had recently retired to care for a close family member, added: "You just have to think about how it will affect the people in the area. We have got nowhere else to go."

Kathleen Calvert was a regular to the leisure centre. (Olimpia Zagnat)

Earlier last year, protesters met outside the centre to voice their anger and frustration over the closure. Veqas Ali, a resident in the area and committed community worker, had added: "This is the last nail in coffin this community needed.

"This was our home, this is where the community used to come together and create that strong bond that we need."

Veqas Ali pictured in front of the now vacant building on Denman Street Central in Radford. (Olimpia Zagnat)

Official council documents showed no alternative operational, regeneration, community or other requirements had been identified. It came as part of a consultation process in which some alternative options for use were considered.

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