Battersea Sports Centre is at the centre of a tug-of-war after a Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) launched a campaign to save it from closure.
Will Martindale, the Labour candidate for Battersea, Balham and Wandsworth, started an online petition on January 3 which has gained more than 300 signatures.
Wandsworth Council recently announced proposals to close the leisure facility at the end of the year in order to make way for around 90 new low-cost homes.
Mr Martindale said the loss of the Hope Street centre would be widely felt as he believes it is a hub of the community.
He said: “My message to those discussing this issue is to back off and to leave our sports centre alone.”
In just 3 days, 147 people have signed the petition to save Battersea Sports Centre: http://t.co/UM60yU9cEh pic.twitter.com/lxzzRgx5bp
— Will Martindale (@WillJMartindale) January 6, 2015
The affordable housing would be made available to single occupants, couples and families in the Winstanley and York Road estates.
Conservative Council Leader Ravi Govindia said he is willing to listen to Mr Martindale if he has alternative ideas about how to fund the affordable homing which is required.
“It is a facility that is currently quite tired,” he said.
“But we also have in the immediate area some very good [sport] facilities.
“When the site gets free of this current use we will provide 90 affordable homes there to take forward the regeneration of the Winstanley and York Road estates.”
Councillor Paul Ellis, Cabinet Member for Housing, said the council planned to open various new facilities, including a brand-new 3G pitch at Falcon Park, where residents could exercise.
The council is due to set out its proposals later this month.
Image courtesy of Will Martindale via YouTube, with thanks
