Cheam Baths closed by "Brittas"

3:34pm Tuesday 22nd January 2008

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Swimmers at Cheam Leisure Centre have been told to get out the pool by the "Gordon Brittas of leisure" Councillor Graham Tope.

At a council meeting on Monday Coun Tope failed to give his cast iron guarantee that the leisure centre, known as Cheam Baths, would not be closed.

Councillor Tope has gone from being the Cardinal Wolsey of the Liberal Democrats to the Gordon Brittas of leisure.

Councillor John Kennedy

"We have known for over 20 years that Cheam is old leisure centre, we have known that for years. We need to have a sensible agreement about what's going to be happening," he said.

Coun Tope explained that although half a million pounds had been earmarked to be spent on the centre in the next financial year, the cost of upkeeping the pre-war leisure centre may not be sustainable.

He suggested that gaps in provision could be covered by deals with other boroughs such as Merton. He and several members of his party added that the council also had to consider non-sporting activities, such as libraries, when considering its leisure strategy.

The leisure centre, in Malden Road, has a swimming pool, a gym and sports courts.

Opposition councillor John Kennedy criticised the proposal. "Councillor Tope has gone from being the Cardinal Wolsey of the Liberal Democrats to the Gordon Brittas of leisure."

A final decision on the future of the centre will be made in May this year.