Bexhill Leisure Centre won't be knocked down

Rother leader Cllr Carl Maynard was responding to questions put to him on his Ask The Leader slot on the council's website.

The questioner said: "I am writing to ask what will become of the Bexhill Leisure Centre when the new road is built?

"Because a lot of people use this centre especially for the gym, though sadly you have to go to Ravenside to swim. Rumour has it that this centre will be knocked down.

"Another question is with regards to garden allotments in Bexhill.

"In this day of 'green promotion' where we are all encouraged to eat healthier, exercise etc these allotments are needed activities and should be encouraged in their use.

"Can anything be done for the contractor, who I believe is John O'Conner, to do more to maintain these sites? I have just taken on an allotment where the weeds were about three feet high and some of the neighbouring plots are also unused or in need of attention.

"I cannot help believing it would be better if there was a contractor to maintain the allotments and somebody else for the other green areas of Bexhill.

"A lot of elderly hold these allotment plots who are not able to get rid of three feet high weeds because of the machinery needed.

"There are good allotments in Bexhill, but could be improved if more was done to maintain the sites."

The leader said: "The Bexhill Leisure Centre is not directly affected by the Link Road so there are no proposals to knock it down.

"However, Rother does recognise that the leisure centre will, at some point in the future, require rebuilding as it comes to the end of its life. No decisions have yet been made on when this will be and if and when it does happen, users of the centre will be consulted upon.

"The parks technical officer inspects allotments and now that you have brought this to our attention we will investigate and take corrective action.

"Rather than a planned programme of allotment maintenance, we control costs by ordering this type of activity as and when required. It is often the case that an allotment holder has become unable to properly maintain their allotment."