Financial emergency: petition to save Yeovil Recreation Centre reaches 10,000
Somerset Council propose to close the site amid their financial emergency, declared last year
More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling on Somerset Council to u-turn on its planned closure of Yeovil Recreation Centre.
Somerset Council declared a financial emergency in early-November 2023 in the face of both a large projected overspend in the current financial year (around £18m) and a substantial budget gap for the next financial year (currently around £87m).
The council published proposals to balance the books, which includes significant cuts to local services – including the closure of numerous facilities at the Yeovil Recreation Centre on Chilton Grove.
More than 10,000 concerned residents have now signed an online petition calling for this planned closure to be scrapped, claiming it will hurt local schools and damage the health and well-being of future generations.
The closure of the Yeovil Recreation Centre was one of more than 100 initial savings proposals published before a meeting of the council’s executive committee on Monday (January 15).
The council believes the closure of certain facilities within the site, which lies on the northern edge of the town, would save £165,000 over the next two years – comprising £90,000 in 2024/25 and a further £75,000 in 2025/26.
A spokesman said: “The closure of managed sport and leisure facilities at Yeovil Recreation Centre would include most of the outdoor sports facilities and the leisure facilities in the Jon O’Donnell Pavilion building.
“Green spaces on site, the tennis courts children’s play area and multi-use games area are proposed to remain open to the public.
“The café on site is not included in this proposal and is being considered separately.”
A petition on Change.org, created by local resident Geoff Cole, has attracted more than 10,200 signatures as of Thursday afternoon (January 11).
Mr Cole said: “For over 50 years, the Yeovil Olympiads Athletic Club has called the Bill Whistlecroft Athletics Arena at Yeovil Recreation Centre home.
“These facilities are not just local assets; they hold regional importance across the south west as they represent the only public facility of its kind and quality in Somerset.
“The impact of this closure would be far-reaching. The Yeovil Olympiads would lose their base, local schools that utilise these facilities for physical education and sports events would be left without an alternative, other athletics clubs who depend on these amenities would be displaced, and county, regional and national level competitions hosted here would need to find new venues.
“Yeovil Recreation Centre has also been home to Yeovil and Sherborne Hockey Club for more than ten years. The hockey club have more than 300 senior and junior members who train and play at the Rec every week.
“Both the athletics and hockey clubs have invested significant time and money into the facilities for their members and wider community.
“The significance of these facilities extends beyond sport – they foster community spirit, promote physical health among locals of all ages and contribute to our regional identity. We must ensure that future generations have access to these invaluable resources.
We urge Somerset Council to reconsider their proposal to close down such a vital part of our community’s life. Let us preserve our sporting heritage for current users and future generations alike.”
Numerous signatories have added their own views on the petition, describing the council’s decision as short-sighted and immensely damaging.
Yeovil resident Nev Field said: “The Rec is well-used and needed. Closing it would have a very negative effect on a lot of people.
“It is completely out of order this is even being considered. Get your act together Somerset Council.”
Ashley Harvey agreed: “The Rec is such an important part of Yeovil’s sport culture. This is a very short-sighted cost saving measure which will have severe long-term implications.”
Christopher Huntley, from South Petherton, said: “My family trains here and my son is often involved in football matches on the adjacent pitches.
“The loss of these facilities would have a hard impact not just locally, but on those that travel from around the county (and further afield) to use them.”
Harry Purdy, from Yeovil, added: “Exercise and physical health is incredibly important for young people to look after their mental health. If the council take that seriously, they won’t shut this facility down.”
To sign the online petition, visit www.change.org/p/halt-the-proposed-closure-of-yeovil-recreation-centre-s-sports-and-leisure-facilities.
The council’s executive committee will meet in Taunton to discuss the budget proposals on Monday (January 15) at 10am.
The public consultation on the budget will close seven days later (January 22), with the responses being used to shape the final recommendations which will go before the full council.
After being reviewed by the audit committee on January 25 and the corporate and resources scrutiny committee on February 1, the executive will reconvene on February 7 – by which time a further update on the budget proposals will be available.
The final budget will be debated by the full council in Bridgwater on February 20 from 10am. Each of these meetings will be live-streamed via Microsoft Teams for those unable to attend in person.