Why must Gillingham Leisure Centre close?

• Gillingham Leisure Centre was built in 1977 and incorporated the old swimming pool built after World War II in memory of local people who gave their lives in the War.

• The centre has given 30 years good service to the community and has now reached the end of its useful life.

• A material survey, commissioned in 2006, shows the buildings and systems are obsolete. At the same time the operating costs have become unsustainable.

• The cost to upgrade and refurbish to meet current requirements would eat up all the money being held for a new centre.

• The money North Dorset District Council is putting into the leisure centre is running out after 31 March 2008.

• The money Gillingham Town Council is putting into the leisure centre is not enough to cover any of the refurbishment work or meet the operating costs.

• Three Rivers Partnership does not have any money but depends on the £ 3m+ held by NDDC to fund the new facilities.