THERE’S plans for a protest in Barry as a “beloved” sports centre is at threat of being knocked down and replaced with houses.
The state of the Colcot Sports Centre on Colcot Road was described as "embarrassing" at a council meeting earlier this week.
Plans for the Colcot Centre and the land it’s situated on was called in for scrutiny on April 2.
At the meeting, Dave Knevett, operational manager for neighbourhood services, described the current state of the Colcot Centre, saying: “The current building at the sports centre is beyond its life expectancy and frankly from a women and girls’ perspective… are embarrassing.”
However, this was argued against by local Colcot resident Mike Goode who wants the centre retained, and now Mr Goode is setting up a protest outside the sports facility over the weekend to hammer home the point that Colcot Sports Centre must stay.
At the meeting on April 2, Mr Knevett explained that, following consultation with the property section, the current building’s non-adaptability in terms of current regulations, issues with parking, the housing crisis in the Vale and demand for housing round Colcot, it was time to rid Barry of the centre.
While the proposal for redevelopment of the Colcot site is said to include a new playground, BMX ‘pump’ track, and multiuse games area, Mr Goode claimed local residents are not happy with the plans.
He told Barry and District News: “Buttrills' residents are not happy with what is being discussed because of the scale of it. Over here at Colcot, it does not make sense.
“The money is better spent refurbishing the pitch, sorting out the building and turning the site into a community space.”
Read more on the future of the Colcot Sports Centre, below:
- Barry's Colcot Sports Centre described as 'embarassing'
- Council commend report to knock down Colcot Sports Centre
Protest planned Sunday, April 7, to ‘save’ Barry’s Colcot Sports Centre
Mr Goode has lamented the plans for Colcot and the Buttrills, highlighting the loss of green space at both sites; the Butterills, with a large section of the playing fields proposed to be replaced by a sports pavilion, boxing gym and two car parks; and Colcot, where a ‘pump track’ would be built on green space where local people walk their dogs.
He called for local residents to support the protest on Sunday.
Mr Goode said: “Come along, see the plans, sign the petition, take away a poster and share our concerns.”
The protest is planned on Colcot Road outside the Colcot Sports Centre, Sunday, April 7, 4pm.
What do you think? Should the Colcot Centre be refurbished, or knocked down and build brand new sports facilities at the Buttrill’s?
Got a story in Barry? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk?
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