Caerphilly Council has backed down in a legal fight over the Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre, following community efforts to keep it open.
The High Court stepped in and overturned the council’s decision to close it, thanks to a resident named Micah Jones who pushed for a review. His legal team celebrated this win as a big deal for the community.
This isn’t the first time the council tried to shut it down. Back in 2019, a similar attempt was blocked. The council said they want to avoid more delays and costs, so they’ll be looking at the centre’s future again soon.
Micah mentioned how important the leisure centre is for his family and the community. It’s not just a gym; it offers activities for everyone, including those with special needs. His dad, Dean, hopes the council will really consider keeping it open.
The council has been eyeing several leisure centres for closure, claiming they can provide better services at fewer locations. But many locals disagree, feeling that the leisure centre is a vital part of their community.
After the court’s decision, a solicitor from the legal firm representing Micah urged the council to listen to the community and keep the centre open for future generations.
The council admitted they messed up on one part of the legal process, which led to this outcome. They didn’t get to argue about the other issues in court, but it’s clear that the community is not backing down.
Local councillor Shane Williams, who has been against the closures, hopes the council will finally hear the voices of the people. He pointed out that the money spent on legal battles could be better used to maintain these important facilities.
As the council considers closing more leisure centres, the community is rallying to protect what they have. A public meeting is set to discuss the future of another centre soon, showing that the fight for local resources is far from over.
