Heartbreak and fury on the streets as shock closure leaves people with 'nothing else to do'
Standing outside Active Ashton on a busy afternoon, it doesn't take long for a queue of heartbroken gymgoers to make their voices heard. There is anger and devastation in Tameside following this week's announcement that three of the borough's leisure centres will close their doors in September.
"To some extent I'm baffled by the logic behind it," he said. "There are people who have mental health issues that use this place as a safe spot, but they get great value from it. The 54-year-old has PTSD as he continues to recover from a horrific attack. He suffered a fractured skull and five bleeds on the brain, with four operations needed to save him.
He goes swimming at Active Ashton three times a week. "It's safe because he can't just pull himself out of the pool," said Melanie, 42. "I'm devastated to be honest that it's going. He's been doing so well with his confidence swimming, there's not much else for him to do." He had been to Active Ashton with his sister, 16-year-old Chloe, who suggested other gyms in the town were 'expensive'. "It's not that dear here," she added.
"There are other pools in Tameside," he said. "But the community spirit is great here. You know people on a personal basis." "I've made lots of friends, we all go out together. Where are we going to meet up now? We can't go to the pub." Tony Westcott, 67, added: "Here, you've got the wards that are some of the most deprived, not only in Tameside but the UK. But in here it's a community - different races, different abilities, young lads training, people preparing for operations. It's the friendliest of gyms and the easiest to get into, people are so welcoming.
What Active Tameside says Reg Patel, Interim CEO – Director of Operations and Assets at Active Tameside, says the organisation 'understands and appreciates' the role all three leisure centres set for closure play in their communities. But with mounting costs, and the Ashton gym in need of refurbishment, Mr Patel insists Active Tameside cannot afford to keep them running.
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