BREAKING: Maldon sports clubs forced out as Blackwater Leisure Centre hall to close for major works

Displaced - local sports groups must find new venues as the Blackwater Leisure Centre main hall closes. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi and Gary Davies)

MAJOR renovations at the Blackwater Leisure Centre will see sports groups forced out to make way for new “state-of-the-art” facilities, it has been revealed.

An overhaul of the Maldon centre’s main hall is set to begin in August. It will be transformed into a gym and “Clip & Climb” indoor rock climbing facility.

This morning (June 5), Maldon District Council confirmed groups would be displaced but vowed to find alternative venues for them.

Gary Davies, 50, is part of a couples badminton group which meets at the centre in Park Drive, Maldon, several times a week.

The Heybridge resident has launched a petition against the closure of the “vital” centre, over fears it could put the future of local groups in jeopardy.

Gary told Caroline Coastal: “The closure displaces hundreds of people, including children, and a large gymnastics group.

“We found out the hall was closing anecdotally from another badminton group. No formal notification from the centre management, not even a notice on the door of the hall.

Concerned - Gary Davies (left) says groups like his could face closure. (Credit: Gary Davies)

“Maldon is a growing community with huge new developments. They should be increasing provision, not marginalising and decreasing it.”

Following the petition, Mr Davies says the council has got in touch to help find an alternative venue.

He added: “At the moment, there’s a chance we might find space at Plume Academy. However, nothing’s certain.

“In all likelihood, if we can’t find somewhere else, we’ll just stop. How’s that good for health?”

Closed - the Blackwater Leisure Centre's main hall will be shut in August. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

Last December, Maldon District Council awarded Places Leisure a 20-year contract to run the centre, alongside Burnham’s Dengie Hundred Sports Centre, and the Splash Park in Promenade Park.

Places Leisure committed to spending £6 million across the sites, beginning with renovations at the Blackwater Leisure Centre.

A spokesperson said: “The investment will be completed in phases over the next 18 months.

“The first phase will result in the closure of the main sports hall to allow for major work to turn the current space into a state-of-the-art gym and Clip & Climb facility.

“Unfortunately, this means regular users of the hall can no longer use the space.

“We are sorry for the disruption this may cause. We are committed to working closely with users of the hall to provide temporary and permanent alternative options.”

Caroline Coastal understands Maldon District councillors are unable to comment publicly on the matter at this time.