Lord Harris of Peckham pulls the plug on the Sports Centre in Homestall Road East Dulwich

[lyons2]

Last few days to really make you feeling felt and to speak out about Lord Harris closing faculties to local people. Maybe he has a short memory but he started his carpet business in Peckham, maybe you have purchased a carpet or flooring from him in the past.

[murphy]

I have contacted a couple of the local councillors about the closure and also Tessa Jowell. Waiting to hear back.

I notice in the South London Press article Harris say they had a "consultaion process". I don't know anyone, users

or residents who was consulted. Seems to be a case of thanks for the public funds to build the sports centre

Southwark taxpayers but we have now decided to keep it for ourselves.

[intexasatthe moment]

Can anyone clarify /give some background about the sports centre ?

Did its existence predate the school becoming an Academy ?

Was it used by general public before school became an Academy ?

[lyons2]

The sports centre was opened as part of Waverley Girls School, long before Harris took over. And yes the local community were encouraged to share the facilities for a reasonable price. Following numerous emails and letters, I now understand that the Sport Partnership@Harris Girls? Academy East Dulwich, staff (employed by the school) will open the sports centre on Tuesday & Friday evenings from 4.30pm to 10pm, and Saturdays 9.30am -5pm. If you use the fitness gym it will cost ?5, whereas Fusion East Dulwich charge ?2.50 for low income or senior citizens. Sport Partnership@Harris Girls? Academy East Dulwich, is not so far, offering any reductions. Also in the Governments spending review, the School Sports Partnership funding for schools is being cut so what happens when they go. Again very short sighted on Lord Harris part.

[lyons2]

Latest news Harris Sports partnership team are prepared to offer 20% reduction for Gym users who are pensioners or unwaged, that means ?4 per session compared to the original ?5 per session. Still ?1.50 more than, Fusion, East Dulwich Road. Good Business sense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bicep_Builder]

"At a time when child obesity, health of the nation, are real issues, why deprive the local community of a very needy facility..."

Maybe because child obesity is rooted in the home, diet and other lifestyle issues, not in swimming pools per capita statistics...