Hundreds sign petition to save crèche and help parents exercise
It's claimed parents would have to pay £45 a session to keep the crèche at Exeter's newest leisure centre open.
Last updated 10th Mar 2023
Hundreds of people have now signed a petition calling for the crèche at Exeter's newest leisure centre to stay open.
St Sidwell's Point opened less than a year ago and cost £44-million to build.
The petition says "The crèche provides invaluable emotional support for parents. In a society where up to 20% of mums develop postnatal depression the benefits of exercise and endorphins on mental health are huge.
The Baby Room Exeter CIC have backed the petition to save the creche at St Sidwell's
"Not only this but having a resource where parents can have a break for an hour can save their sanity and their relationships. The advice that the staff offer regarding feeding, teething and development is also a huge support given the funding cuts to the health visitor service."
The centre opened in April 2022
A spokesperson for the City Council said they had made the difficult decision to close the crèche from the end of the month due to its financial inviability.
“It’s been an extremely challenging year for the leisure sector. Nationally energy costs and rising staffing costs are forcing leisure centres to permanently close their doors.
“The backdrop to all of this is that we have seen a reduction in central government funding to local government of more than 60 pence in every pound over the last 12 years. Combined with the cost of living crisis and increase in energy prices, Exeter city councillors are faced with the impossible task of saving £9.67 million over four years which is almost a fifth of the council’s general operating fund.
“In Exeter, we are determined to do everything we can to keep all of our six leisure sites open but the financial realities are stark. Currently, all our centres run at a loss and are heavily subsidised by Exeter City Council.
“Rather than close sites, the team have had to look at what can be done to keep Exeter Leisure sustainable in the long-term. One of the key decisions we have had to take is closing the crèche. We realise how important it is to some of our families and haven’t taken this decision lightly.
“We would have to charge £45 for the crèche per session at the current usage rate to be sustainable which would of course make it inaccessible.
“Responding to frequent requests from customers, we plan to convert the room into a space for kids birthday parties and other activities to complement those we already run.”
There's a separate baby-related event at the leisure centre next weekend
The St Sidwell's petition can be found here