Atherstone Leisure Complex: TLC will no longer 'paper over the cracks of crumbling building'

Political parties found themselves in at the deep end of recriminations over the fate of a "crumbling" iconic swimming pool built for the benefit of Atherstone and surrounding villages.

Labour and Tory councillors blamed each other for lacking vision and the courage to invest over the last five years in facilities that needed "more than TLC to paper over the cracks".

Ruling and opposition members on North Warwickshire Borough Council admitted drastic action was needed to save Atherstone Leisure Complex from "closing any day" soon.

Labour leader Adam Farrell urged the Tory administration to abandon a £480,000 capital allocation project to replace the roof on the Long Styreet building and instead embark on a £6 million makeover for the centre.

But council Resources chairman David Wright dived in to accuse the Labour opposition of a "refurbish, not replace" plan for the "decaying" edifice.

Cllr Wright told Nub News: "We want a new facility to be planned by May 2023.

"We don't want to spend half a million pounds on a new roof and leisure centre equipment for the complex and then knock it down.

"But we do have to make provision for it, just in case."

Labour called for the expensive refurbishment at Atherstone LC and for a new £3 million leisure facility at neighbouring Polesworth.

Cllr Farrell said: "This council has failed to invest in leisure services over the last five years.

"Atherstone swimming pool has been closed on occasions in the last few months.

"It is an old building and TLC will no longer 'paper over the cracks'," he added.

And Councillor Jodie Gosling said the complex is "crumbling to the ground and for all we know it could end", adding: "It could close any day."

Labour Councillor Dave Parsons interjected: "If this council hasn't got courage to invest, where are we going?

"This council seems to want to plod along and change nothing, instead of being innovative and looking to the future."

Tory member, Councillor Margaret Bell, said the ruling party on North Warwickshie did have a vision for leisure services

"We will replace Atherstone and open a new facility in Polesworth," she assured the full council, adding: "Don't tell us we have no vision."

Cllr Farrell attacked the Tory side again: "You haven't got a vision.

"Your development plans are a blank piece of paper with not a signal change envisaged.

"If replacing the roof at the Atherstone Leisure Complex is the height of your ambition, then we have reached a sorry state.

"God help leisure services for North Warwickshire in the future."

Cllr Wright wrapped up the debate with a promise: "It is our express intention to explore commercially-focused opportunities to maximise investment in the borough.

"We will change the way we do business.

"And we have ambitious plans over the period of this administration up to May 2023."