New leisure complex could replace ageing centre

A council report into indoor sports facilities says the ageing centre needs to be refurbished or replaced as it is reaching the end of its useful life.

The suggestion will come as no surprise to long-suffering centre users, who have had to accept tiny changing cubicles and broken lockers, along with a host of other dated facilities.

A new centre at White Rock Gardens may be combined with Falaise Health and Fitness Centre, which also needs money ploughed into it.

The borough council's other facility, the sports hall, small hall and fitness suite at Hillcrest School also needs investment.

Summerfields is also the centre of a proposal to become a coach park, so an assessment would need to be made into how that would affect any future leisure complex.

Council leader, Jeremy Birch, agreed a major refurbishment or rebuild was needed at Summerfields.

He said: "This is the start of a discussion.

"There has been a serious analysis of the leisure needs of the town and, as ever, we are keen to hear what residents themselves want and what can be improved.

Another suggestion made by the Needs Assessment of Indoor Sports Facilities is for a tennis dome for use all year round at White Rock Gardens because of above average demand for tennis facilities in Hastings.

The report also highlights the need for leisure and fitness facilities in community centres built and being built in deprived areas of the town.

This is intended to help the fight against cancer and heart disease by keeping people more healthy.

The report will be debated by the council's cabinet at its meeting at the Sussex Hall in the White Rock Theatre on Monday from 6.30pm.