COMMUNITY CALL!

Press Release

26 July 2010

The Melton Community Partnership last week expressed extreme concern over the proposed closure of the Leisure facility at Melton Brooksby College in two weeks time.

The partnership agreed to ask Active Melton  to look at ways to address the problems that will occur as a result of the closure. It acknowledged Active Melton had done good work in the Community and confimred it had the confidence of the partnership to lead on this difficult issue.

Alan Pearson, Chairman of Active Melton said

‘The groups that use the facilites come from  from all walks of life including young people, over 60s and people with disabilites. Hundreds of people from these groups will be significantly affected . They will have nowhere to go and  will in effect be on the streets. Equally important is the effect this closure will have on the community as a whole which will suffer if we do not have adequate sports facilites in Melton.  The lack of adequate facilites will contribute to unhealthy lifestyles and associated health problems like obsesity, type 2 diabetes and heart problems. Good facilites lead to improved community spirit.  Sports and physical activities have the effect of decreasing anti-social behavior.  It is well recorded that additional impacts include improved confidence and self esteem.’

Active Melton, supported by Melton Community Partnership members, is co ordinating a programme to try to find new homes for the clubs and players who will lose out when the College leisure facility closes.

Immediate action is needed in the short term and  Alan Pearson is  appealling to the Community to help.  He has launched a ‘Community Call’.  He asks people to contact Anna Oultram if they know of anywhere that may be suitable to use as a venue for  the displaced players and clubs.  Time is tight so if you have any ideas please contact Anna on 01664 502 392.

Chair of the Melton Community Partnership meeting, Cllr Malise Graham said

‘ This is an excellent idea to deal with the immediate problem and I encourage everyone to help if they can and respond to the Community Call. But looking further ahead the partnership has agreed to  investigate all routes available to turn the facility into a community asset. The government announcement of  funding for ‘community asset transfers’ which will help communities take over communtiy assets for community use gives the partnership a potential way forward.’

~ends~

For more information please contact: