Dudley leisure centre closures plan moving forward despite meeting protest
Dudley Council is pressing ahead with cost-cutting plans that could see the demolition of three leisure centres, despite fierce opposition.
A group of around 30 protesters assembled outside the council building last night as the cabinet met to decide on plans to tear down Dudley, Halesowen and the Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge.
It has suggested building two new centres in the borough.
Save Our Leisure Centres campaigner Tracy Wood said at the protest last night: "I can't see how it is cheaper to close three and build two new centres."
The meeting saw the approval of a facilities planning model to be created so the council can put forward a business case.
Councillor Khurshid Ahmed said: "Thirty years is the operating life of a leisure centre. Already two of these have exceeded their operating life."
More than 1,000 signatures have been gathered by a save our leisure centres group which is headed by former councillor Tracy Wood.
Council chiefs want to close Dudley's three main leisure centres and replace them with two new facilities. It is hoped the scheme will save the borough council £1.7 million.
