Saltney Sports Centre at St David’s High School could face closure

Feb 4 2010 by Dave Goodban, Chester Chronicle

A COMMUNITY leisure centre could be facing closure after it emerged a council no longer wants to run it.

The Chronicle understands Saltney Sports Centre could be shut for good if St David’s High School or Saltney Town Council cannot afford to take over the running costs.

The centre is one which opposition councillors claim Flintshire County Council wants to offload to save money.

The others are Connah’s Quay Sports Centre and Hope Sports Centre, which are open seven days a week and are also used by members of the public.

Labour councillors have condemned the provisional plans.

They say schools and community councils will never be able to afford to maintain the facilities, and fear closure could be the only option.

Flintshire council was unable to say how many people are employed across the three centres, or how many people use the facilities.

A spokesman said the council is ‘embarking on discussions’ with school governing bodies regarding appropriate management arrangements.