Members of the SPLASH campaign, who are lobbying to have South Leeds Sports Centre reopened, met last night at Hillside to plot their latest protest. Members agreed to hold the event at noon on Bonfire Night – November 5 – with a ‘V For Vendetta’ theme.
This morning Splash issued the following statement to South Leeds Life:
“One year ago the South Leeds Sports Centre was closed, with locals told to use the Morley or John Charles facilities. Those who have tried to do this, however, know that without the use of a car it is an unrealistic expectation.
“With rising obesity rates and more sedentary lifestyles, yet many other activities and facilities closing, surely a sports centre is essential, especially in a more deprived area… not to mention next year’s Olympic Games. It appears that Leeds City Council’s ‘Vision for Leisure Centres in Leeds’ was characteristically short-sighted.
“With recent news of a school possibly to be built on the land, join us to commiserate one year with no sports facilities. Come dressed for Guy Fawkes’ night, in masks and costumes.”
See below for a poster advertising the protest:
[scribd id=69268563 key=key-1wlhq4j424qur7xykk2z mode=list]
Members also debated the possibility of a new school and houses being built on the site, as well as tentative proposals by Greenhouse developers CITU to reopen the centre. The council’s consultation process into a potential new primary school on the site ends on Friday and residents were urged to have their say. You can view the consulation document here.
Members also agreed to look at the formation of a South Leeds Against The Cuts group, with a speaker from Leeds Against The Cuts to be invited to the next SPLASH meeting, which will be at Hillside on December 5, 7pm.
