Fairford’s Sports Centre could be set to close despite a huge increase in homes and residents in the town.

Farmor’s School has issued a statement to counter the rumours about the future of the sports centre, which was originally built for the community, but is now run by a trading subsidiary of Farmor’s School.

In the statement, the directors of Farmor’s Sports Centre say that the confidential consultation process is not yet complete and no final decisions have been made.

Residents are concerned about the covert way decisions are being made about the centre’s future and are naturally worried that they will lose an important health and fitness facility.

A doctor at Fairford’s Hilary Cottage Surgery has said: “Certainly we would share concerns about losing such a facility, especially when the priority for the NHS includes an emphasis on self-care and exercise.”

One resident of Fairford felt so strongly about the proposed closure that he has formed an action group of residents and councillors to find a way forward.

He said: “We really need to talk to the head and governors at Farmor’s School to see if there is anything that can be done to save the sports centre but, unfortunately, letters of concern from residents to the school are not being answered and it seems as if they will not enter into any dialogue.

“My family have all used the gym regularly over the years for personal health reasons and cannot envisage making the journey to Cirencester three times a week to continue our health and fitness regimes.”

Another resident of Fairford on the action group has suggested a feasible and viable way forward for the directors of Farmor’s Sports Centre and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with them in order to save the Centre from closure.

The group are hoping that Farmor’s School will listen to the suggestion that will retain the Centre for community use.

Cotswold MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has said that he recognises that the sports centre is an important facility for the town which ought to be preserved if possible and that he will be supporting the campaign to keep it open.

He said: “I was contacted by a constituent on this matter last week. It seems that this sports centre is used by a substantial number of residents in Fairford, but it has been run down in recent months with the obvious intention of closing it by the end of August.

“I have already made detailed enquires about this and I am happy to give my full support to trying to save the Sports Centre. I will be contacting the key people who are in position to influence this matter over the coming days to make sure the community retains access to it.”

The next meeting of the Save Our Sports Centre group is planned for Thursday, July 11 at 6.30pm in Fairford Community Centre (in the Barker Room at the back of the Centre). 

This is a public meeting and all are welcome to attend and offer suggestions and help.