A Welsh council is closing its leisure centres and swimming pools over Christmas and New Year in response to a "catastrophic increase" in energy costs which leaves them searching for an extra £1 million..
Powys Council decided on Tuesday that all leisure centres would close through December and into January, while some pools would remain closed until the end of the financial year. Three leisure facilities - operated by not-for-profit Freedom Leisure - will close in Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin and Presteigne until March 31, 2023.
The council also agreed to temporarily close swimming pools to both the public and schools in Llanidloes, Rhayader and Builth Wells until March 31, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). All saunas would close too. Read more news about the cost of living crisis here.
But locals said the decision had been made with little real discussion or consultation and it was effectively a "done deal". Beverley Baynham, who represents Presteigne, where East Radnor leisure centre is located said: "This decision is being pushed through with not even 24 hours' notice, and no time for us to prepare and have a discussion."
The council blamed the UK government for the closures saying it had created an "unstable financial market, and has not reacted to the energy crisis". Councillor David Selby, cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys, said: "The current energy crisis is having a devastating impact on our leisure services at a time when many are struggling to recover from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. The loss of income is being compounded by inflation with increased cost of supplies, services and wages.
"But the greatest impact is escalating energy costs. It is an industry-wide challenge that shines a light on swimming pools and their energy demands and something that is being experienced by all providers - both public and private. Freedom Leisure have already implemented a wide range of operational and energy efficiency measures to significantly reduce consumption, however, the additional costs for providing a leisure service in Powys is going to be more than £1m going forward.
"These eye watering levels of increased costs without additional targeted local or central government support are unsustainable."
A petition set up to keep Builth Wells swimming pool open said: "This is a much needed facility and closure will impact the health of our community. We have many children accessing the swim school and swimming club. To be denied access for at least three months. The youngest losing the ability to swim."
Lisa Hughes signed the petition and said: "In our darkest months and horrible weather, the swimming pool plays a pivotal part in my physical and mental health. The interruption to swimming lessons would be nothing short of sriminal."
While acknowledging that the decision was neither easy nor popular, deputy council leader Matthew Dorrance added the closures were due to the UK government ending energy support for council-funded and public sector organisations. He said: "They made that decision despite there being a £100m need in Wales to address a 285% hike in energy costs - it is a mistake."
READ NEXT
