Bletchley Leisure Centre urged to reconsider closure of squash courts over half a century old to make way for soft play area
Squash courts at a popular leisure centre have been closed and look set to be replaced with a family soft play area, sparking calls from some residents to reconsider and carry out a consultation.
Four squash courts have been shut down at Bletchley Leisure Centre to make way for a new soft play and family party facility.
Local resident, Ben Chittenden, is leading calls for the decision to be reconsidered, claiming that there was a lack of meaningful consultation before the decision was made.
But Cllr Sam Crooks said the changes aim to enhance the leisure offer for the local community and make the most effective use of the available space.
Squash has been available at Bletchley Leisure Centre for 53 years, with generations of local residents using the courts.
Ben said: “We are extremely disappointed and, frankly, devastated by this decision.
“I am one of 24 regular squash players in a group that uses the courts, although there are a number of regular and occasional user groups affected by the closure.
“We are not opposed to investment in children's and family facilities, but believe the redevelopment should be paused to allow the local community and existing squash users a genuine opportunity to be heard and for alternatives to be properly considered.”
The courts closed on August 24 and redevelopment work was due to begin on August 25.
The decision to create a new soft play and family party area comes after Bletchley Leisure Centre, Woughton Leisure Centre and Windmill Hill Golf Centre received a combined sum of £3 million in funding.
The removal of the squash courts wasn’t included in Serco More Leisure’s original tender submission, but it did mention investment opportunities from the funding.
An assessment by Serco More Leisure found that the courts were only used an average of 19 hours per week, equivalent to 4.6% utilisation. But Ben questions if booked court-hours sufficiently represents the number of people using the facility and if the wider community value of maintaining the courts was properly considered.
Cllr Crooks explained that arrangements have been made to try and support existing squash players at the centre by giving them discounted use of the squash facilities at Swan Pool & Leisure Centre in Buckingham.
But Ben is calling for work to change the courts into a play area to be paused and for the local community to be properly consulted before any final decision is made.