Call for new focus of Shropshire leisure services in Ludlow, Shrewsbury and Oswestry

The authority says it wants to invest in and support three main community leisure hubs in Ludlow, Shrewsbury and Oswestry, as part of its strategy for the next 20 years.

A public consultation on the council leisure strategy is now running until September 30.

It outlines the cash-strapped authority's approach to which facilities are needed for the county.

A number remain under threat of having their funding withdrawn unless community groups or town and parish councils come forward to help.

The draft report states: "Shropshire Council needs to focus resources and provision in the three main towns of Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Ludlow; core provision is swimming, sports hall and fitness.

"Shrewsbury, as the main county town also provides the 'specialist' facilities such as cycling, indoor tennis, bowls and climbing."

The report also makes a number of comments about council plans to close Shrewsbury's Quarry pool and to build a new one at Shrewsbury Sports Village, Sundorne, claiming it would increase participation.

It states: "In Shrewsbury, there is potential to consider siting the town's sport and leisure offer on one major site; this would increase participation opportunities, reduce operational costs and provide real savings moving forward, but not at the expense of community participation."

It also says the authority must ensure that school swimming is "a priority – accessible, available, and can be done as effectively as possible."

The report says that swimming lessons will need to be "planned realistically to allow for travel", and that Shrewsbury's current Quarry pool would hinder access.

It states: "Location of the Quarry replacement is crucial in this respect, as the town centre could add significantly to travel times."

The consultation document also recommends the closure of several small pools, claiming there is an "over-supply" of pool space in the county.

It states: "There is an opportunity to consider rationalisation of some smaller pools, particularly those which require significant investment, have high operational costs and low usage."

"In the south, both SpArC and Church Stretton pools are small, costly to operate, require significant investment, and serve very small communities, so have low throughput.

"Both of these need to be considered for closure. The SpArC pool is in better condition and there could be more opportunity to work in partnership with a local organisation to take on the operation of this pool and the other adjacent sports facilities.

"The Church Stretton pool is in a very poor condition, and does not offer a fit for purpose environment in which to learn."

Pools in the north of the county are also considered, with keeping Market Drayton open described as a priority, while Whitchurch should only remain open if a local group comes forward to run the site.

The report added: "It may not however be sustainable to continue to provide both facilities within the same catchment area. Shropshire Council's role in providing either facility should not be long term."