Members of Dover Leisure Centre have signed a petition which calls for answers about its future.

Peter Ward, 37, of Balfour Road started the campaign after exclusively speaking to the Mercury about its condition last year.

He described the Townwall Street building as “rotten” and has now come forward with nearly 200 signatures generated over a matter of days.

When more than 200 names are pledged, Mr Ward said he would present it to Dover District Council in the hope that leader Paul Watkins will stage a public meeting.

The petition also asks that chief executive Nadeem Aziz attends.

Mr Ward said: “We need to be involved from day one. Members have got no choice but to go there as there’s nowhere else to go.

“If the new centre going to be in a year’s time, that’s the sort of thing we need to find out. They should upgrade it until they build the new centre.

“It’s unhealthy for all of us who use it.”

'It’s unhealthy for all of us who use it.' - Lead petitioner Peter Ward

The Mercury has reported this year that a strategic review is being set up over the summer – this will take into consideration what the people of the town need.

It is due to be complete by the autumn – when it is understood the results will be presented to the council.

This will determine whether it will remain in Townwall Street and will earmark any potential sites in Dover where it can be relocated.

The centre has been running at its current state since the 1970s and was set to last 25 years before needing an upgrade.

More than 40 years later, it remains untouched.

It has been included in the district council’s Land Allocations Local Plan, which is a guide highlighting which parts of the town need urgent attention.

A DDC spokesman said: “We welcome petitions and they are treated in accordance with our agreed petitions scheme.

“In March, cabinet agreed to commission a review of the council’s leisure facilities in Dover.

“This strategic review will look at a range of options, including consideration of whether Dover Leisure Centre should be relocated.

“The review is due to start in the summer and be completed by late autumn.

“We have recently appointed The Sports Consultancy to undertake the study. We continue to work closely with Your Leisure who manage Dover Leisure Centre.”

To sign the petition, visit: http://tinyurl.com/pba7avx