A petition has been started to stop the planned closure of Southall Sports Centre in March 2022.

Earlier this month Ealing Council and Everyone Active announced that Southall Sports Centre, located on the site of Southall Community College, will be closing on 31st March 2022.

West London College is planning to convert the sports centre building into a high-quality construction academy offering a range of vocational courses, apprenticeships, and other training.

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It is a facility that is used by thousands of people in the surrounding area, including women, children and disabled people. It contains the only womens only gym in the local area, and the sports hall is used for by disabled people on a regular basis. It has been a refuge for many during the difficult times during COVID.

The decision to close SCC will have a hugely negative impact on the local community. The closure SCC is not just a matter of a gym closing, it is the closure of a community hub and, a hugely valued resource for local residents

Conversion works for the building are scheduled to commence during early Summer 2022 and the Council has been given notice to vacate the sports centre at the end of March 2022.

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Ealing Council in partnership with its leisure operator, Everyone Active has managed and operated the sports centre on the site since it was built in 2004.

The Council, Everyone Active and West London College are currently working on the demobilisation plan for the centre.

In the meantime, Southall Sports Centre will be available for use up until 31st March 2022, as usual.

"Southall needs more sports facilities, not less. Our population has some of the highest rates of diabetes and heart disease in the country, and some of the lowest levels of activity. As a GP I see this and many other consequences of inactivity. Easy, local and affordable access to sports facilities, including via exercise on prescription schemes, are essential to help reduce health inequalities." - Jenny Watson.

"This is a sad day for sports and fitness in Ealing and especially for the women of Ealing as it’s a very much needed ladies gym. Please replace it with more facilities as soon as possible as we have already lost Gurnell leisure centre so there are very few council run gyms (or ladies gyms) left in the west of the borough" - Zahida Ahmed

"So sad, this place is more than a sports centre it's like a home for one big family. It's changed my life and my health, I've met new friends and caught up with many old friends, always welcoming and such a great mix of people of all abilities. It may have not been state if the art but the staff and the people gave it a soul and purpose, something which most gyms just don't have. A massive loss for me personally and for the community. Will miss you." - Jags Sanghera

Please sign the petition at www.change.org/p/stop-southall-sports-centre-closing