Consultation on Plas Madoc and Waterworld leisure centres closure plan

Consultants suggest replacing Waterworld would cost £11.9m

A public consultation has begun on plans to close Wrexham's two main leisure centres and replace them with a £12m complex near the town centre.

It follows a review of 11 sports and leisure facilities operated by Wrexham council as it seeks to make budget cuts of £13m in the next financial year.

Councillors back plans to close and demolish Plas Madoc and Waterworld.

The proposals will go before the council's executive board for approval early in the new year.

The council said it was carrying out the consultation with people who use the centre, groups and individuals, in order to understand the impact of the proposed closure.

Consultants had said that building a replacement for the town's distinctive Waterworld swimming baths would cost £11.9m.

Proposals, backed by councillors, also include shutting some council-run gyms and handing over responsibility for leisure services to a new trust.

Deprived

Plas Madoc Leisure Centre is on one of Wrexham's most deprived estates.

It has a pool, two squash courts, four badminton courts, an outdoor multi-use games area, indoor climbing wall and trampolines as well as a fitness suite, sauna area and cafeteria.

One of those who objects to the closure plans is Plaid Cymru AM Llyr Gruffydd who says he regularly takes his four children to swim at Plas Madoc on Sunday mornings.

"I am horrified at the suggestion that Plas Madoc and Waterworld may close to save £500,000," he said.

"Coming so soon after the Olympics, where £12bn was spent on sport-related infrastructure in London, I find it absurd that the legacy of the 2012 Games for Wales will be a series of closed swimming pools, gyms and other sporting facilities."

He said he blamed a combination of UK government cuts to Welsh government and what he called an "inept local Labour council" that was targeting frontline services rather than non-essential services.

He added: "I fully support the campaign to retain these facilities and believe alternative savings can be found by the council that do not impact on people's health and wellbeing."

A meeting by local campaigners will be held at the Air Products Club at Acrefair at 19:00 GMT on Tuesday.