Matlock in Derbyshire is a good place to start because it incorporates, unfortunately, far too many components of the struggle people are facing over trying to retain grassroots sports facilties.
In 2007, Derbyshire Dales District Council held a 'confidential' committee meeting to discuss the closure and sale of Sherwood Hall, the only sports centre in Matlock. There was outrage, at both the decision and the sneaky way it had been voted through. There was no consultation or warning and those who taught classes at Sherwood had already started taking bookings for the Autumn term.
The council's justification was that they needed to raise money for a new leisure centre, the CALC (Central Area Leisure Centre), but protesters pointed out that this was unlikely to materialize for at least three years: Sherwood Hall,they said, should remain open until the new centre opened. Their appeals fell on deaf ears and the Hall was closed. Many residents feared that their only swimming pool, the Matlock "Lido" would go the same way.
In July this year, 2008, their suspicions started to come true when the main pool had to be closed for roof repairs. It would re-open in August, said the Council, but "August" became "October" and now "October" has become February 2009.
Derbyshire Dales District Council is currently consulting (!) about the future of the pool: should they spend over £200,000 on major roof repairs or save the money for the CALC? The resounding response appears to be a great wish to get the Matlock pool repaired and re-opened as soon as possible.
Main source of information: Matlock Mercury
Follow up sources: http://www.swimclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=8480
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