Fears over future of Sports Centre

The swimming pool and sports centre was built from funds raised by local people in a decade long campaign.

Rother District Council agreed to pay for the revenue costs of the facility, which is currently operated by Freedom Leisure.

Freedom Leisure’s contract with Rother Council expires on March 31 2016 and Rother Council is looking at re-tendering at zero cost to the council.

Re Labour candidate Sarah Owen joined placard waving protestors at the sports centre and says without the subsidy the centre would need to cut back on hours, close part of its services (such as the pool) or close altogether.

But Rye MP Amber Rudd and Councillors Keith Glazier and David Ampthill have hit back at what they describe as “a cynical scare mongering campaign” launched by the local Labour Party.

Ms Owen though insists that local people have not been properly informed and that Rother council should be conducting a wider public consultation.

See page 3 for more on this story.