A decision has been made by UALS to close Long Sutton Sports Centre to the public. This is devastating news for the numerous members, sports clubs & associations, and the wider community. We believe this decision has been made without due consideration of the wide negative impact this will have on the community, and urge the powers that be to reconsider, as we believe it is in everyone's best interest to keep Long Sutton Sports Centre open and running.

We are outraged at the lack of transparency surrounding this decision, and the extraordinarily quick turnaround for closure. Notice given on 2nd January for closure on 30th January is unacceptable for a decision that has presumably been months in the making. This will leave many members, and in particular sports clubs, scrambling to find a replacement venue for their activities. The impact of this will be members being forced to travel much further afield and, in many cases, forced to pay a higher price for their activities.

The reason cited for the impending closure is that utility costs were too high. We find this excuse extremely poor. The building will still be utilised to deliver the regularly timetabled PE curriculum. Despite then operating for less hours if it is closed during the evenings and weekend, the reduction in bills would not be offset by income from paying members and bookings as is the current model. The cost of bills would be coming entirely from the school's budget. A budget already seemingly tight as they are currently appealing to the community for donations to furnish their new building. Clearly, something does not add up, and we are calling for greater transparency surrounding the decision to close the Sports Centre in light of this wider context. We find it simply unpalatable that the community is being asked for financial support on one hand, whilst having a vital resource taken away with the other.

We are fighting an uphill battle to save our Sports Centre due to the rushed timeline of the closure. But with the full support of the community, we can voice our displeasure and put pressure on the powers that be to reconsider this decision.