Plans Agreed to Protect Sutton's Leisure Centre Provision

6.02.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Jun 2009

Cheam Leisure Centre, better known as Cheam Baths, will not be closed until its replacement in the west of the borough is up and running.

Cllr Graham Tope, Sutton's lead councillor for leisure, gave this clear commitment at a meeting of the Council's Executive when presenting a report on leisure provision in the borough.

He said there has been continuing unfounded speculation about the future of the Cheam Centre, but the Council is determined to keep it open until at least 2015 provided the replacement Centre is open by then.

"We all know that the building is already 70 years old and no longer meets the standards of modern leisure centres. In addition, the cost of maintaining it is increasing, and it's losing customers.

"One day the baths will have to be replaced, and this administration has given a firm commitment to build a modern centre close to where it is now, and that does not mean Sutton Town Centre," Cllr Tope said.

No decision had been made about a possible location, but the time scale allowed plenty of time to consult widely and to take appropriate expert advice. It would not be possible to rebuild on the existing site without denying the residents of Cheam and Worcester Park swimming facilities for an extended period while the old baths were being knocked down and rebuilt.

The Liberal Democrat Executive agreed plans for an eight-year programme of building maintenance and upgrading at Westcroft and Cheam Leisure Centres.

Westcroft is to undergo a phased refurbishment programme in a major upgrade of the outdated building and its facilities.