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A year-long closure of a leisure centre for renovation work is expected to be approved this week – despite a petition against it gaining 1,000 signatures.
On June 30, the announcement that the Stour Centre in Ashford could remain shut until mid-2021 took many by surprise.
This included customers and staff, who found out about the temporary closure and 115 job losses through a press release and subsequent KentOnline article.
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) - which owns the swimming pool and gym complex - is holding a full council meeting on Thursday where it will discuss the proposal, which is expected to be approved.
The £6.5 million renovation will add a new soft play area, climbing area and café to the Stour Centre, which underwent a £17m revamp in the mid-2000s.
But a petition has been set up by UNISON South East ahead of the meeting, requesting the full closure is replaced with partial closures focussing on the areas being done up.
This was the initial plan - but with the timing of Covid-19 and partial work expected to take nine months longer, ABC decided on a full shut down of the facility.
Within three days, the petition addressed to ABC leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson has already gained more than 1,100 signatures.
A contingency plan to move most services to the out-of-town Julie Rose Stadium isn't seen as sufficient by some, who are annoyed at the lack of a swimming pool there.
Hein Behrens, chairman of the Ashford Town Swimming Club, said: "We were promised the pool will not close during the renovations. This is a serious issue for the club as we do not have access to other pools.
"This is affecting everyone who used to train 10 hours a week. Children doing their GCSE sport are especially affected."
Another member of the club, Gemma Carter-Collins, said: "Obviously, the effects on the wider community will be absolutely tragic from a physical and mental health perspective, but I’m lobbying for Ashford Town Swimming Club too.
"Those children give their all to their swimming and have lost enough, now to risk it being taken further from them.
"Many are Year 10, 11, 12, 13 or Year 6 - the children who’ve suffered the most in the last few months. They’ve lost everything.
"And the decision makers behind this are beyond short-sighted.
"There are several GB triathletes who rely on the pool and the childcare there to train. We’ve lost our events this year but there are several of us who are at European and World Championships in June 2021.
"Ashford Borough Council will be writing off our chances too. Ashford’s own athletes are being completely ignored.
"The irony is that the pool does not need to shut and jobs do not need to be lost.
"I think they’ve made huge huge errors of judgment in this and need to reconsider."
However, some residents have welcomed ABC's move.
One swimmer, who did not want to be named, said: "I heard they were planning this refurbishment at some point and they've brought it forward because of the Covid-19 situation, as it's closed anyway.
"I was using the pool for swimming at least twice a week so I'll miss it, but it makes sense to do these changes now.
"I'm certainly not going to use it during the present climate and I don't think a lot of people will.
"The virus and social distancing are going to be with us for months and months, possibly a good year until a vaccine is proven."
As part of the improvements, the reception and seating areas will be upgraded, while new leisure pool features targeted at younger children will be added.
Major redecoration will also be completed throughout the centre, including the dry and wet changing areas.
In response to the petition, ABC says the Stour Centre is "extremely valuable".
A spokesman said: "It is vital we invest to rebuild the offer and provide a modern and safe environment as soon as possible.
"While this decision (which is due to be considered at full council this week), will impact many, we hope everyone will understand we have come to this position in order to considerably shorten the extensive refurbishment and capital programme during a time when leisure centres have to put in place many operational restrictions, be amongst the last to fully reopen and will probably be the first to suffer if an outbreak reappears.
"We want to reduce the impact of what was to be a very disruptive and potentially more hazardous environment for customers, over a much longer drawn out period.
"We want to get on and swiftly complete works, during a time of restrictive use and uncertainty.
"We know some are keen to return to the gym, group activity and swimming, while others maybe more cautious or not wish to navigate the restrictions that will be in place.
"We fully understand the strength of feeling from members of the community"
"We hope the facilities proposed at Julie Rose Stadium will support and encourage members to benefit from the extended gym and fitness offer whilst we bring forward the works as soon as possible.
"Clearly recreational swimming is more difficult to provide although Tenterden Leisure Centre is in the borough and will be considering reopening once restrictions are lifted.
"We will work with our future leisure operator to endeavour to access other facilities for group activities and look to reopen as the works near final completion.
"We fully understand the strength of feeling from members of the community about the impact, and are aware of the petition.
"Should full council endorse the move, officers will make contact with groups about the use of alternative available resources where possible."
To sign the petition, click here.
