STRATFORD District Council is to serve six months notice to terminate its leisure agreement with the Greig Trustees.
The decision was made at a meeting of the authority’s Cabinet today, Monday, November 27.
It follows concern by councillors that facilities at the Greig Centre leisure complex were deteriorating.
Back in 2005 the council entered into an £800,000 funding agreement with the Trustees to support the site.
The district council now has £250,000 to invest in the complex and if it calls in that loan, and the Trustees are unable to repay it, the authority could take possession of the site to settle the debt.
Following legal advice, the district council’s Cabinet has agreed to serve six months’ notice to terminate the leisure agreement.
Cabinet members were also aware of the long held local desire to reopen The Greig Hall an asset valued by the community which was closed in 2011.
Councillor Chris Saint, (Con, Shipston North) Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: “This has been a concern to the district council for some time and we are making every effort to keep this valuable facility open for the people of Alcester and the surrounding area, by acquiring the property.
“So by taking this decision today, the district council should be able to safeguard the future of the Greig Centre and provide valuable much needed investment in the leisure facilities for future generations.
“We anticipate the site coming back under the district council’s control when we will firstly look to refurbish the Lifestyles Sports Hall at the Greig Centre and also work with local representatives to reopen the Greig Hall.”
Speaking last week before the decision was made local Coun Mike Gittus (Con, Kinwarton) said: “The benefit to the community of the whole facility being put into public ownership means that elected representatives will make decisions on its future for the benefit of the community.”
