During the public consultations in Newtown, concerns were expressed at the lack of community facilities available to residents. Yesterday, I updated you on the Drum. Let's now talk about Newtown Community Centre and Baths. The Community Centre is well used and is also the home to Newbury Independent School, which is an Alternative Provision School for vulnerable children, along with Churches and other Community groups.
Despite the demand the Community Centre is being emptied in preparation for closure and possible demolition with no planned replacement. It is a very underrated facility, however, once you visit it which I have done on several occasions, yes, it requires investment and this can happen with the right parties at the helm. The people of Newtown want facilities, sadly these are diminishing. In terms of the Swimming Baths this has been earmarked for closure by the City, with a planned replacement in Ladywood of their old swimming baths photographed below, the only problem is that this has been promised in Ladywood; for the past 30 years. (Don't hold your breathe springs to mind).
It is a matter of watch this space, in the meantime this has been raised with the Leader of the Council Ian Ward, who responded as follows:
"I can confirm that parts of the Newtown Community Centre are currently let to an external party, under a lease that expires in October 2018. I can categorically assure you that no attempt has been made to “evict them” in advance of that date and indeed there is an on-going discussion between the Council and the tenant about their continuing use of other parts of the building. I can confirm that the neighbouring Health & Wellbeing Centre is scheduled for closure when the new Swimming Pool opens at Icknield Port, estimated Autumn 2019, and that as the Community Centre cannot operate in isolation of the Health & Wellbeing Centre it will also close at or before that date. Should the Council decide to let the building in the interim, then the opportunity would be advertised on our property website in order that any interested party might submit a bid, in line with our usual procedures."
Off course I will keep you updated as I continue to ask question, however, in the meantime do feel to get in touch and ask any questions, and I will ensure that they get answered.
Remember this is for "Everyone and not the chosen few".
D.Jaddoo
18th March 2018
Despite the demand the Community Centre is being emptied in preparation for closure and possible demolition with no planned replacement. It is a very underrated facility, however, once you visit it which I have done on several occasions, yes, it requires investment and this can happen with the right parties at the helm. The people of Newtown want facilities, sadly these are diminishing. In terms of the Swimming Baths this has been earmarked for closure by the City, with a planned replacement in Ladywood of their old swimming baths photographed below, the only problem is that this has been promised in Ladywood; for the past 30 years. (Don't hold your breathe springs to mind).
It is a matter of watch this space, in the meantime this has been raised with the Leader of the Council Ian Ward, who responded as follows:
"I can confirm that parts of the Newtown Community Centre are currently let to an external party, under a lease that expires in October 2018. I can categorically assure you that no attempt has been made to “evict them” in advance of that date and indeed there is an on-going discussion between the Council and the tenant about their continuing use of other parts of the building. I can confirm that the neighbouring Health & Wellbeing Centre is scheduled for closure when the new Swimming Pool opens at Icknield Port, estimated Autumn 2019, and that as the Community Centre cannot operate in isolation of the Health & Wellbeing Centre it will also close at or before that date. Should the Council decide to let the building in the interim, then the opportunity would be advertised on our property website in order that any interested party might submit a bid, in line with our usual procedures."
Off course I will keep you updated as I continue to ask question, however, in the meantime do feel to get in touch and ask any questions, and I will ensure that they get answered.
Remember this is for "Everyone and not the chosen few".
D.Jaddoo
18th March 2018
