Peter Dolman
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Calne Leisure Centre LtdI have just returned from the CLC Ltd AGM where the audited accounts for the period to 31/12/08 reported profits of £46,000 (approx). This should be compared to the last accounts (draft) of North Wilts Leisure Ltd which showed a loss of £190,000.
The Leisure Centre will continue to be a success as long as the people of Calne and the wider community carry on supporting it. There was disappointingly no indication about the current performance but we all know whats happening to shops and pubs.
There was also concerned expressed by some of the shareholders that there was no opportunity to question the directors.
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Local lass
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IFthe center fails again then its flogging a dead horse and another use should be thought at.
did you know that all kids can go swimming for free?all you do is register.but it has to be council owned.even as a kid i chosse the olympiad over the sports cemter every time .
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Chepfer
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With those figures and the fact that we are in a recession it all looks very promising ...........
Keep up the good work i say !
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rosco
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| Local lass wrote: | IFthe center fails again then its flogging a dead horse and another use should be thought at.
did you know that all kids can go swimming for free?all you do is register.but it has to be council owned.even as a kid i chosse the olympiad over the sports cemter every time . |
Nothing's free: what is does mean is that taxpayers are footing the bill. I in fact do the opposite, and choose the CLC over the Olympiad as it's usually much less crowded, with loads of ticket-less parking.
If there is a niggle, I would say that the website is not very useful and doesn't tell me, for example, when the various swimming sessions are on during the day (at least, I can't find it anywhere).
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Chepfer
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Hi Rosco,
The time table for swimming is on the website .... i looked at it earlier.
Though i did really struggle to find it and it was amoungst the membership details or something .......
I agree it does need simplifying ....... look at st marys site (sports centre) as an example
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Peter Dolman
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The web site is in need of revamping and I understand is in the process or redevelopment so hopefully it wont be long.
When I was at the centre last night there was a pile of leaflets with swimming times on them. I know they get lost, left behind somewhere or given to friends/family etc but just pick up another one when next there.
Thanks for your support. you are right by the time you drive to chippenham and pay for parking its not free.
The new council (wiltshire) have been talking to non-council owned sites about the "free" swimming but unless they are prepared to cough up with enough cash its a non starter.
I understand that Bracknell council refused to join the scheme as it would cost them to much money. So if you live in Calne & Cricklade you are paying taxes to subsidise Chippenham/Malmesbury?Corsham/Wootton Bassett leisure centres and subsidising children from those towns to swim free.
In return we currently get nothing, is that fair?
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Chuck
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Might be owrth raisingthe issue for the Area Board
Chuck
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Peter Dolman
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Chuck as a board member who often stated that you, if elected, would look after the whole of the towns interest, the leisure Centre is an issue affecting hundreds of residents. Those who use the centre and those employed by CLC Ltd (don't forget its now a large employer as far as Calne is concerned).
You as a Wiltshire Council councillor should ensure that the centre receives not only practical support but financial support as well.
Lets see you stand up and be counted, that goes for Alan Hill, Tony Trotman, Christine Crisp & Howard Marshall as well.
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Local lass
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would be intresting to know just how many calne residents use the sport center.Also will be intresting to know if the council plan to give the sports center money again
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rosco
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To be honest, I wonder if it is not a better idea that the CLC does not get money from the council: that avoids it becoming dependent on handouts that could, depending on the way the political winds are blowing, be reduced/taken away in the future.
Having a self-financing centre is a great thing that can control its own destiny: most council-run ones are loss-makers.
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Peter Dolman
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Rosco, I agree with you the least interference you get from "politicians" the better as they normally have a reason for doing what they do.
Where I am coming from is that Calne tax payers (council tax that is) pay into the Wiltshire Council coffers. The council then in turn subsidise the leisure centres, all the council run ones that is.
While I accept that there is a greater good which is true on things like schools, roads etc I do not believe this is the same for leisure centres. In terms of fairness I believe there should be a small grant given to all the likes of Cricklade & Calne and any other like organisation.
As far as the number of Calne's residents using the centre that would be diffilcult to come up with a difinative answer. I would suggest that you visit the centre every day for a week and judge for your self.
It would be more than any other club, group or organisation in the town put together in my estimation. Wednesday evenings, I play badminton (or try to) is in the region of a 100+.
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Chuck
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The best way to start this rolling is for the Leisure centre to request funding and explain why it is required then we can take it from there.
Chuck
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Local lass
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As far as the number of Calne's residents using the centre that would be diffilcult to come up with a difinative answer. I would suggest that you visit the centre every day for a week and judge for your self.
It would be more than any other club, group or organisation in the town put together in my estimation. Wednesday evenings, I play badminton (or try to) is in the region of a 100+.
apart from school kids i dont know any one who uses it .some i have heard did use it but dont now becuaseof cost and restriced swimming time.as its partof calne and gets funded it should be looked in to .
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Peter Dolman
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LL do you use the centre? I can assure you that on a Wednesday evening I know of approx 40 people use the hall from 7pm to 10pm there is at least another 30 from 5pm to 7pm.
There are 5 badminton courts and they are in use from 5pm to 9pm when it is used for 5 a-side football.
In addition there are always people using the gym, squash court and the swimming pool. that's where I get my figure of 100.
If you have any doubt I urge you to visit the centre and see for yourself!
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Peter Dolman
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There has been some unusual happenings at the Leisure Centre in the last week or so. I understand that Kevin Wells has resigned as chairperson, staying in post until the end of August.
Then this week the centre manager Anita Hodgeson has tendered her resignation.
Both have personal reasons for their actions.
Kevin & Anita were members of the original CLAG group.
I would offer my personal thanks for the time and energy both gave in what was considered to be an impossible task, that is reopening the Leisure Centre.
Without their tireless work the Leisure Centre would, most likely, be a pile of rubbish by now.
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pimpdriver
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Peter,
May I politely request that the swimming pool changing room keys get some bands put on them, as a lot of the locker keys are bare, and you can;t attach them to your clothing.
It wouldn't cost much.
Cheers
Steve
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