City leisure centre could be axed

A 150-year-old leisure centre could close as part of an £18.5m programme to revamp facilities in Nottingham.

The city council said it was not viable to keep Victoria Leisure Centre open as it was the second most expensive to run and had the second lowest attendances.

Councillors are due to make a decision on the plans on 18 March.

Two new purpose-built leisure centres are currently being built at the Djanogly City Academy and the Beechdale Swimming Centre.

'Difficult decision'

A Nottingham City Council spokesman said Victoria Leisure Centre was not originally built as a venue for a swimming pool.

The authority said intended improvements to extend the pool and install a fitness suite would cost £7.5m.

Councillor David Trimble said: "It is always a difficult decision to close any facility but Victoria has gone well past its sell-by date and the proposal to close it is part of an over-arching rationale to provide fewer but better quality community leisure centres.

"The council has committed significant funds to improve the overall provision of community leisure centres across the city in order to meet customer expectations of better quality sport and leisure facilities."