Passionate members of the Dunston community have had their say at a public drop-in session as the potential closure of an at risk leisure centre looms.
Dunston Leisure Centre faces the possibility of closing its doors for good after council bosses warned that services had become “unaffordable”. Along with Gateshead Leisure Centre in Saltwell, and other local centres, the Dunston premises faces closure amid a funding crisis.
Last month, councillors were told that Gateshead Council had wanted to make its leisure centres and pools self-sufficient by 2020 but that such an aim was “no longer realistic” and they are “unaffordable” in their current state. The decisions had to be made due to of the impact of Covid-19, the cost of living crisis, escalating maintenance and repair bills, problems with staffing, and ongoing economic uncertainty.
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A public consultation is now under way before a final decision is made on which centres will shut. On Saturday, a drop-in session on the proposals was held at Dunston Leisure Centre, with many concerned members of the community turning up to air their views.
Alan Crawford, 49, and his wife, Louise Crawford, 53, who live in Dunston, attended the drop-in together and explained the impact a closure would have on their family and the wider community. Speaking to The Chronicle, Alan said: "I believe the decision [to close] has already been made. If this leisure centre closed, it would be a big loss for the area. Our daughter uses this centre and schools use it for swimming lessons, so where will they go?" Alan continued: "Dunston is a neglected area of Gateshead, and why would you pick a deprived area to do this? Why has this place not been run properly for years?"
Louise, who works as a teaching assistant at the nearby Riverside Primary Academy, added: "Every week I bring around 45 Year 5 kids here for swimming lessons. If this place closes, where will all those children have to go? Because the swimming lessons are compulsory and the school is only two minutes away from here."
Built in the early 1960s and refurbished in 2010, Dunston Leisure Centre has over 200,000 visits a year and a £557,000 level of projected council subsidy required in 2022/23 with lifestyle maintenance costs of £1,300,000 over 10 years. Public consultation ends on December 13 before an evaluation is made and a report being taken to the Cabinet in January, setting out the results.
Another leisure centre user who attended the drop-in said he travels regularly to the leisure centre from Whickam, and said: "I'm very passionate about this because I've used this centre all of my life and so have my kids. What people need to be aware of is that places like this help with mental health and keeping it open means there would less of a strain on the NHS. You just can't close this place, it's the hub of the community, it's tragic."
The man, who did not want to be named, added: "I can't see why the council can't bring in sponsorship from local businesses. That's something I've brought up with local councillors, and maybe it could work. I just don't really understand how they work or come up with decisions like this. If I could win the lottery, I'd buy the building."
In a hand out given to those who attended the drop-in session, the council states: "The council needs to make immediate savings to help balance the budget. The only way of making the size and speed of savings required is to close some leisure centres." It adds: "We appreciate that leisure centre closures could have a significant impact on individuals, families, schools, community groups and clubs who currently use them. We want to make sure we fully understand the impact of any future leisure centre closures through this consultation."
Michael Lamb, service director for leisure services at Gateshead Council, was also speaking to users at the drop-in. Speaking to The Chronicle, he said: "There has been a lot of passion and even anger at this session. People don't want to lose a part of their community. But there has also been a lot of understanding as we have to make difficult decisions. It's hard, we don't want this, but it is the reality at the moment. No one [at the council] underestimates the impact, but we are in a difficult financial situation."
Leisure centre users can have their say on the proposals HERE
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