Area Projects
Blandford Leisure Centre Action Group
1967 was a great year: the BBC broadcast its first colour TV pictures, the Beatles released Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the world’s first heart transplant operation took place… and Blandford Leisure Centre opened.
The first three hold special places in modern history and Blandford Leisure Centre is at risk of joining them unless everyone heeds the rallying cry of the Blandford Leisure Centre Action Group (BLCAG) to ensure it continues to provide a first rate facility for many years to come.
The leisure centre, located next to Blandford School, is largely funded by North Dorset District Council. However, this funding will cease at the end of March 2010 to enable the Council to meet its financial plans and continue to provide essential services to the wider community.
The centre comprises a sports hall, fitness suite, gymnasium, squash courts, tennis courts, 25 metre swimming pool (added in 1995), leisure pool and sauna. It provides a venue for health referrals, adult education, youth clubs, sports clubs, holiday activities, toddler gym, aerobics, 50+ and disabled activities.
A glance down the current user list reveals several local schools use the centre and 2,896 individuals from 55 towns and villages.
If it’s so well used why is it under threat? It all comes down to money: leisure centres are not statutory services and the Council has to concentrate all its resources on providing statutory services for the community.
The BLCAG has been formed to raise awareness of the issues and to investigate alternative ways of running the centre when the District Council pulls out in 2010. It comprises representatives from a range of organisations including Blandford Town Council, the District and County Councils, schools, the DT11 Partnership and Blandford Camp.
Some people on the Action Group were involved in the creation of the centre 40 years ago: John Pauley was a prime mover in getting the project off the ground and Cllr John Tanner was a work experience lad on the building site. Both are now at the heart of the action to maintain the centre.
Now is the time for people to register their interest in preserving this important community facility. If you want to be involved email BLCActionGroup@yahoo.co.uk or contact the DT11 Community Office at 5, Nightingale Court, East Street, Blandford Forum DT11 7ED.