Leisure centre 'rip-off' petition

The petition was launched in the city centre at the weekend

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for entry charges at Swansea's new leisure centre to be cut.

Opposition councillors are behind the protest branding £7 to use the water park "a rip off", although there are discounts for residents and families.

Council leaders insist the fees are not over-priced and say the facilities will be the best in the UK when the £32m revamped centre opens in March.

It closed suddenly in 2003 and includes a network of pools and rides.

Labour group leader David Phillips, who was collecting signatures for the petition in the city centre at the weekend, said admission charges were on top of a £1m annual contribution the council would make to the centre's running costs.

"Swansea people are therefore being asked to pay twice," he said.

"Once from their taxes or in service cuts and then again to get through the door for a swim."

He said the Liberal Democrat-led administration had not consulted other councillors over the costs.

The leisure centre complete with water park opens in March

"On the one hand they expect credit from local people for delivering a new leisure centre, but what they have conveniently forgotten to reveal is the fact that they plan on hitting residents in the pocket with these outrageous charges.

"This is rip-off Swansea and people won't fall for this sleight of hand."

The Plaid Cymru group has also criticised the water park fees.

When the centre suddenly closed in 2003 after a damning structural report it was among the most popular visitor attractions in Wales.

Managers hope the reopened building will cater for about 1m visitors each year, and say the charges compare favourably with other leisure and entertainment in the area.

Mangers say those looking just to swim are catered for elsewhere in the city including the Olympic-sized national pool.

A residents' card will entitle people who live in Swansea £1 off a visit while a family of four will pay £18.

Council leader Chris Holley insisted it was not expensive.

"The Labour group in the council is simply just jealous they weren't the ones behind, what will be, the best water park in the UK," he said.

"Let's not forget - they were the ones who caused the leisure centre to close through neglect. We reopened it.

"People should wait and see before they judge it."