A new council-run leisure centre has been blasted by critics as being unaffordable with high prices putting it at risk of becoming “a white elephant”.
Cozenton Park Sports Centre, formerly known as known as Splashes, has not yet opened but has already come in for stinging criticism from the Medway Lib Dems who argue the facility is being funded by all residents and so should be affordable for all.
The new £23.65million centre on Bloors Lane in Rainham, which is due to open on July 17, will feature a gym, leisure pool with flume, 25-metre lane pool, dance studio, and cafe - but some say the prices are too steep.
The Medway Lib Dems, who have also petitioned unsuccessfully for the council to reverse its cutting of free swimming for under-16s, claim the price of Fun Splash, which gives access to the leisure pool and main lane pool, is much higher than at similar centres elsewhere and would cut off some residents from the facility.
The cost of Fun Splash is £12.50 for adults, £10.35 for under 16s and over 60s, and £10.10 for people with disabilities.
They say the lack of a family discount means a family-of-four, two parents and two children, would end up costing £45.70 - a price which would drive residents away to centres in other areas or prevent them from swimming at all.
They’re asking the council to explain its reasoning for the costs and their expectations of how many residents will use the new leisure centre - they also renew their call for the reinstatement of free swimming.
Stuart Bourne, the Lib Dems’ parliamentary candidate for Gillingham and Rainham, said: “Many people have raised concerns about these high prices, with them saying they can’t afford to visit the new Splashes.
“Cozenton Park Sports Centre was an expensive investment for Medway Council.
“We don’t want it to turn into another white elephant.
“Also, we all paid for this facility, that means everyone should be able to use it.”
The free swimming provision for under 16s and over 60s was cut in the annual budget in February, a decision the Labour administration called difficult but necessary to balance the authority’s finances.
The council did say they were looking at ways to reduce the cost for families in order to mitigate the loss of the scheme.
Cozenton Park Sports Centre was first announced in June 2021, with the former Splashes demolished to make way for a new facility, which began to be built two years ago.
Plans were revealed shortly after Medway Council announced a £5million revamp had been put on hold because surveys of the site had identified issues with the structure.
The new facility will be the first new sports centre in the Towns for 30 years.
Medway Council were contacted for comment.
