Hundreds call for Wimborne leisure centre to remain open

The leisure centre is owned by the school but is operated by Dorset Council

Campaigners have launched a petition against the closure of a leisure centre to the public, after a council withdrew its funding.

Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre (QELC), based within Queen Elizabeth's School, Wimborne, receives more than £500,000 a year from Dorset Council.

The school said public operations would cease when the subsidy ends in March.

A petition at the centre's front desk and another online had gathered about 500 signatures by Sunday afternoon.

Dorset Council gave notice of its withdrawal from the loss-making centre in 2022, saying it could not justify spending a third of its overall leisure budget on the site, which is owned by the school's trust.

The centre employs 40 permanent staff.

The online petition describes the facility as an "essential part" in keeping the growing community "fit, active and improving mental health".

It said: "Having this snatched away from us will have a detrimental effect in many ways.

"It will force many to travel further afield at a time when we should be considering our environmental footprint.

"For others, travel is not an option so not only will the closure lead to a decline in health within the community, short-sightedly putting further strain on the NHS."

'Not viable'

Comments from people signing petition describe the centre's closure as a "travesty" and a "disgrace" while others say they are "gobsmacked" by the decision.

The school will run the centre - which includes a 25m swimming pool, a gym, a sports hall and an outdoor sports pitch - from 1 April.

Liz West, of Initio Learning Trust, previously said the school had "explored every possible way of maintaining the leisure centre".

"Without significant capital investment it simply is not viable," she added.