A PROTEST was held this week as a campaign to secure the future of Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre continues.  

It is one of several sites that could close as part of plans to streamline sport and active recreation services, with Caerphilly council’s leadership to discuss the plan in April.

The move has proved controversial, with fierce opposition voiced on a number of occasions. Past and present MPs for the area have also called for the idea to be re-considered.

Caerphilly council says it is "progressing plans to develop a number of exciting new sporting developments across the area which would provide new and improved facilities for local residents, clubs and schools to enjoy".

But Shane Williams, a representative of the campaign group to save the leisure centres in Pontllanfraith and Cefn Fforest, said this week: “Our council should be encouraging more people to lead healthy, active lifestyles.

“Given the massive scale of housing development in the area, they should be protecting our existing facilities not bulldozing them”.

The facility at Pontllanfraith is regularly used by close to 50 different sporting clubs but Mr Williams says he believes that the closure of the site will mean those clubs will find it hard to find alternative premises.

“Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre is one of the best used leisure centres in the region.

“It is vital to the local community," he added.

“The closure of this leisure centre will mean thousands of people will be denied access to sport and fitness”.

He also said he and the other members of the campaign to save the centre were hopeful that, as the vote on the future of the leisure centre approaches, councillors “will at last listen to the people they represent and safeguard this centre from closure”.

A spokesman for Caerphilly council said in a statement: “The council has agreed an ambitious strategy that will shape the future of sport and active recreation across the area for the next decade. The strategy focuses on a diverse range of sport and physical activity opportunities provided by the council, in conjunction with its key partners.

"We are also progressing plans to develop a number of exciting new sporting developments across the area which would provide new and improved facilities for local residents, clubs and schools to enjoy.

"Any decisions about the future of existing facilities will be subject to individual reports.”