Sports clubs told to make way for climbing wall

Sports clubs have been told they must leave a popular facility to make way for a new climbing wall and gym.

The hall at Blackwater Leisure Centre in Maldon, Essex, has long been used for activities such as basketball, badminton and five-a-side football.

Badminton player Barry Mann said his friends were "absolutely at a loss" after being told they had to move on by 18 August.

Maldon District Council said it was working with hall users to provide alternative facilities for them.

The badminton club was offered space at a nearby school, but Mr Mann said that removed the likelihood of attracting walk-in members.

"This facility was widely used and to lose it in this way, I was absolutely shocked," he told BBC Essex.

Mr Mann said the club would "die a death" within a year by becoming less visible away from the leisure centre.

"A lot of people a lot older than me are down there every day doing whatever they can to keep themselves occupied and moving," he added.

"What is going to happen to these people? They're certainly not going to be climbing a clip and climb wall."

Among the other clubs affected is wheelchair basketball team Highrollers, who have since been offered a venue 12 miles (about 20km) away in Burnham-on-Crouch.

Coach Ricky Cahill said it was an "absolute nightmare" trying to find a hall that was open during the day.

But he said the situation ended in a "pretty positive" way for the club when it secured a move to its new home.

Places Leisure has been awarded a 20-year contract to run the local authority's leisure venues. It has pledged to invest £6m over that period.

A spokesperson for Maldon District Council apologised for disruption caused during the changes.

"We are committed to working closely with users of the hall – including regular groups and clubs – to provide temporary and permanent alternative options," they added.

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