Leisure centre plan set to be kicked out

Plans for under-threat Willenhall Leisure Centre to be taken over by campaigners look set to be rejected, it emerged today in a new report.

The revelation comes ahead of a crunch meeting next week. The report says the community organisation which took over Aston Arena in 2001 had expressed an interest in assuming control of the under-threat Bath Street facility.

But the document goes on to say it is unlikely the group could foot a £200,000 bill needed to repair the centre's roof and that it would not help the council's strategy to reduce the number of public swimming pools in the borough.

The Birmingham Community Sports Enterprise was established in 2001 to lease the ailing Aston centre from its then owners, the Asda supermarket chain.

But the report to the council's decision-making cabinet suggests a deal that would see the group attempting to replicate its success in Willenhall is unlikely.

It states: "A community involvement company, Aston Arena, have expressed an interest in being considered to take over the operation of the centre on a community management basis.

"It is not thought that they would be willing to cover the likely roofing repair costs, nor would this help the council to deliver its strategic reduction in water space."