31 March 2007: Tonight White Horse Leisure Centre in Calne, Wiltshire closed its doors for the last time (at least in its present guise). Unless a rescue package can be agreed with North Wiltshire District Council very soon this facility, paid for by the people of Calne, could be lost forever.
This site has been set up to increase the awareness of events connected to the ongoing actions to try to resolve this matter and maintain leisure facilities for the people of Calne and the surrounding area. More information will be posted as it becomes available. Message Board
6 Jan 2008: The Calne Leisure Centre re-opened at the weekend, with over 1000 visitors and trying out the new facilities. Great work by all involved in the project.
7 Sep 2007: The Calne Leisure Centre re-opening date draws ever nearer. You can now find details on the official web site
26 July 2007: About 200 people attended a public meeting at the Town Hall tonight, where the Calne Leisure Action Group presented their plans for the re-opening of Calne Leisure Centre. The presentation was well received and it does seem as though this will be a successful campaign, with a targeted opening date of early October. Most of the funds initially required have been raised, though another £40k is still needed (approx 14% of the total required to start up and operate with no revenue for 3 months). There is still much to be done before "Calne Leisure Centre" will be ready for its first customers, but the signs are good. If you would like more information about the proposed share scheme, donations, membership and so on or to register your interest, please email the Group.
20 July 2007: NWDC Grants awarded - North Wiltshire District Council has agreed to release £60,000 and has awarded a £75,000 grant in a bid to work with the Calne Leisure Action Group to help reopen the Calne Leisure centre. The grant has been awarded to enable new gym equipment to be obtained (the old equipment was leased and was removed when the Centre closed in March).
19 July 2007: Public Meeting - a public meeting will be held at Calne Town Hall on July 26 at 7pm where the CLAG will present their plans for reviving the centre
11 July 2007: A Glimmer of hope? Calne Leisure Action Group presented their rescue bid to run the WHLC as a community run centre to the NWDC on 29th June. The plan was reportedly "well received". NWDC are now consulting with interested parties and studying the business plan submitted. Meanwhile yesterday the Town Council agreed to support the CLAG proposals to the tune of £25k per year for 2 years.
16 June 2007: Calne Leisure Action Group is examining the viability of re-opening the WHLC which will be renamed the Calne Leisure Centre and run as an industrial provident society (IPS and not for profit) for the benefit of the whole community. There is a survey form which you can download from here. Please return completed form to any of the following: Sainsbury's, Somerfied, Calne Information Centre, Bank House, Gazette & Herald. Latest return date 22nd June. By the way the pool remains viable, the pumps are still operating and the pool has definitely not yet been filled in.
2 May 2007: The end of the road ? Athena Leisure announce that they have withdrawn their support for the future of the Leisure Centre. Thanks NWDC for making it impossible for Calne to continue to have leisure facilities, lets hope that the elected members of NWDC that represent our town get the right message tomorrow. Use your vote to ensure that the Lib Dem/Tory councillors who were the cause of the demise of the WHLC are kicked out.
19 April 2007: NWDC throw out rescue package - much as expected NWDC have thrown out the rescue package submitted by Athena. Its clear NWDC have no real concern for the people of Calne, and no interest in trying to agree a package for the support of the WHLC.
17 April 2007: Calne Town Council agrees to support the Athena bid to rescue the WHLC - one small but significant step, now its down to NWDC to decide whether to continue to block the rescue package or to support the people of Calne and surrounding district.
12 April 2007: Athena gloomy - looks like even Athena Leisure are now close to giving up on the rescue. This would be a real shame, they have posted an excellent piece describing their efforts and explaining who they are and their motivation behind this. Please read it, a lot of the misconceptions are clarified. Meanwhile as they say the Leisure Centre is now the centre of attention for the town's vandals, and gives a wonderful impression to the visitor, see picture below. I'm sure I would look forward to my children using this site in the future if they were at JBS (not).
11 April 2007: Councillor O'Gorman explains why she is "standing down" - why does this not get posted on the Calne pages of the paper?
8 April 2007: The Athena Leisure bid is expected to be submitted Tuesday 10th April. For more details refer to Mick Devonport's letter
4 April 2007: Councillor O'Gorman "standing down" as district councillor
Please let me know any updates by signing the Guest Book
Sign the 10 Downing Street e-petition
Send a letter to your local Town or District Councillor - download sample letter
Don't forget, the District and Town Council elections take place in early May. The parties are already out canvassing for your support. Challenge them when they come to your door step, and ask what they did to support their town, if they are standing members, or what they will do about the Leisure Centre if elected. Many (but not all) councillors were notable by their absence during the campaign to save White Horse Leisure. Why?
Of course what we want is our own Leisure Centre to be re-opened, but in the meantime if you are considering where to go to exercise, then maybe supporting other Leisure Centres run by North Wiltshire District Council who were responsible for closing ours, may not be the best idea. There are alternative options, such as Devizes Leisure Centre or Marlborough Leisure Centre run by Kennet District Council.
Links:
Read CCAP Progress Statement from
Athena Leisure
