With the possibility that Walsall’s Tory Cabinet might be prepared to take another look at their proposal to close Willenhall Leisure Centre it is important that that opportunity is not wasted.

A great deal of hard work has been put in by those who use this facility along with concerted efforts by opposition councillors, including the Liberal Democrats who proposed ways by which the leisure centre could remain open without increasing the burden on the council tax payer, must not be allowed to go to waste.

It is important that people do not sit back now thinking that the battle is won. A six month window of opportunity looks increasingly likely, though that is dependant on the Tory Cabinet accepting the proposal when it next meets in February. It was made quite clear at last weeks Scrutiny Panel meetings that there are hawks within the Tories who would quite happily see the centre close.

We need to show that we will use the six month window of opportunity to full advantage to discover why unit costs at Willenhall Leisure Centre are so much higher than other centres across the Borough. We need to identify ways in which those unit costs can be brought in line with others.

It is also imperative that the numbers using the centre increase. We need to look at ways in which the centre can be marketed better to achieve this. The centre has much more to offer than its excellent swimming facility. User groups need to be made aware of this if we are to avoid the closure which will inevitably come, should unit costs not be reduced. It really is a case of use it or lose it.