Prices at Waterside Farm Sports Centre could double for fewer facilities, if privatisation plans went ahead, warned former Castle Point Council leader, Dave Wells.

He feared customers would be hit hard if the centre in Somnes Avenue, Canvey, was run under a private partnership deal, favoured by the new Tory led council.

Warning - ex council leader Dave Wells, left and Dave Blackwell fear a new Tory council could privatise Canvey's leisure centre, resulting in spiralling charges Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

Mr Wells said: "This was only the fourth ever sports centre built in Britain by a council. It was started by the old Canvey Council and completed in 1976 by Castle Point Council.

"It cost £1 million to build and was a big project for a very small urban district council which was very forward-looking.

"The whole purpose of Waterside Farm is that it's for all sorts of groups - and it's the second most heavily used centre in Essex.

"It was based on the policy that it was good for the whole community, and was under the banner of Sport for All, which was designed to make the nation fitter and healthier.

"To privatise it would mean hitting the smaller groups in the community who would not be able to afford it. The sports centre subsidises things like playing fields and football fields.

"If they sell off the most profitable section, the council will lose even more money, and no private company would ever take on the playing fields."

However, councillor Bill Sharp countered Mr Wells's comments saying that the council "would not make that deal" if prices were to double.

He said: "The reason we are doing this is to provide these facilities at a price that is not borne by the vast majority of people who are not using them."

Published Friday, June 20, 2003

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