Photo courtesy of Express & Star  

Willenhall Liberal Democrats have accused Walsall’s Tory administration of closure by stealth in a reference to the future of Willenhall’s Leisure Centre reports Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires.

Last week, Walsall’s Tories reluctantly agreed to a 3 month stay of execution for the leisure centre in the face of mounting pressure from user groups and campaigners including the Liberal Democrats.

Since then, it has come to light, that moves are afoot to redeploy staff, which would, in effect, leave around 3 people to run the facility.

Users have also told Dan Barker who heads up the Willenhall South Lib Dem Focus Team, that they have noticed a distinct cooling of the waters in the swimming baths which has driven a number of users to facilities elsewhere.

“This amounts to closure by stealth” said Dan. “If we are to stand any chance of saving the town’s leisure centre, the least the Tories could do is give us a level playing-field.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires said “On Wednesday there is a meeting of all nine Willenhall councillors along with Leisure Services officers. We shall be demanding answers as to why it would appear that Walsall’s Leisure Services are already in wind down mode as far as Willenhall’s Leisure Centre is concerned.

“We are also asking for a meeting with the new cabinet member for Leisure, Tory councillor Anthony Harris, to make him aware of our concerns at what appears to be unfair tactics. This is not a game. The people of Willenhall are angry about the way in which the Tories are treating our town. We demand a fair chance to make our leisure centre viable.”