Fears that Cardiff’s new leisure hub will lead to a cut in services

In February, residents were told there would be a new multi-million pound leisure centre, incorporating a pool facility as well as the facilities from the nearby Star Centre on Splott Road – Cardiff council has said that a number of options are still being looked at for the hub.

But Cardiff Against the Cuts placed a Freedom of Information request to Cardiff council and discovered that one of the options put forward by Alliance Leisure – the private company which the authority commissioned to draw up initial plans – suggests that the Star Centre facilities will be housed by an extension added to the pool, built in 1976. 

And in an email between the council and Alliance Leisure, was the statement: “Other than the political promise that the new build will include a pool and a library, there is no expectation that STAR will be replaced on a like for like basis.”

Ross Saunders, secretary for Cardiff Against the Cuts, said: “We were really frustrated that the consultation the council had organised was designed to hide the facts, not inform residents about what the plans were. That’s because this plan means a big cut in leisure services in the area.”

Since May a consultation with local residents has been ongoing to see what facilities they wish to go into the new centre and a report is due on the results next month.

Katrine Williams, chairwoman of the group, said: “Councillors previously admitted that spending on the new facility will be 30% less than what is currently spent in the area.

“It is increasingly clear that this council wants to load onto the shoulders of the poorest people in Cardiff the burden of the cuts they are pushing through.

“They should show some opposition to the cuts coming from Westminster, instead of doing their dirty work.”

A Cardiff council spokeswoman said: “As stated in the initial report to cabinet on April 11, a new community leisure hub aims to deliver services and activities from a single integrated facility, offering high quality and cost effective services for the future.

 “Information gathered through the consultation is currently being analysed and will form part of the report which is due to go to cabinet in October.

“The report will also outline a number of options that are being looked at for the new community leisure hub.”