A LEISURE company’s decision to close the Link Centre climbing wall could be in breach of conditions associated with the National Lottery grant which built it.

The Ridge climbing wall at the Whitehill Way leisure centre was given a grant of £74,000 in 1998 for it to be extended and developed, and Sport England, who managed the grant for the National Lottery, cannot confirm whether or not Greenwich Leisure Limited’s (GLL) decision to replace the wall with a trampoline park is in breach of the original conditions.

A spokesman from Sport England said: “We are aware of the proposed change and are looking at how the change impacts on the National Lottery award.”

Last week the company, which took over management of a number of leisure facilities in the town from Swindon Borough Council last year under its Better brand, announced plans to replace the 1,200-sq metre facility as part of a £2m investment at the centre, which will also include new birthday party rooms and a refurbished café area.

The news has left many climbers hanging, with Martin Newman, secretary of the Swindon Mountaineering Club, claiming the announcement was contrary to assurances from GLL services it would remain intact.

“The wall was built with a lottery grant of £74,000 and we think it is disgraceful that a lottery funded facility can be closed by a private company in this way,” said Martin.

“Prior to the transfer of the Link to Better the club asked council representatives at the Swindon Sports Forum about the continuance of the wall and we were given an assurance that the wall would continue after the facilities had been transferred.

“When the lottery bid was being prepared Swindon Mountaineering Club was a key stakeholder, writing a letter of support, accompanying council staff on visits to other climbing walls and commenting on the design, yet we have not been consulted on this decision.

“Climbing is one of the very few sports currently growing in popularity and the wall is normally busy. Whilst this closure might be more understandable if a new alternative had been built in Swindon that had taken the custom away, this is clearly not the case. The Ridge is currently a good climbing wall and it is the only such facility in Swindon, with the nearest alternatives an hour away in Bristol or Reading.”

Martin added that the makeover for the trampoline park would also have the effect of removing all badminton courts, table tennis facilities, group bookings, football training facilities and all space for activity classes.

GLL said the Link Centre was running the wall at a loss, which is why they took the decision to replace it.

A spokesman said: “The climbing wall in the facility currently receives low user levels with a financial loss being made by running it. In addition, a new dedicated climbing facility is due to be opened nearby.

“Following a period of internal consultation, the decision has been made to close the facility to make way for the trampoline park.”

However, all staff formerly working on the wall will have the opportunity to be redeployed to other positions with the Link Centre.”

GLL also reiterated its dedication to providing adequate sport and leisure facilities in the town.

“GLL, who operate under our ‘Better’ brand, took over long-term leases with Swindon Borough Council in November 2014,” said the spokesman.

“This arrangement was prompted by the Council’s need to make significant savings over the next three years and will result in a saving of approximately £1.4 million in the annual subsidies it currently provides.

“Both Swindon Council and GLL share the same objectives to increase sports and leisure participation, reduce health inequalities and improve social inclusion.

“We do however need to be realistic about the costs and charges of each facility.

“Our goal is to offer high quality, affordable facilities that are accessible to all in the community so that we can strive to get more people more active more often. The trampoline park will be one of the very first of its kind to launch in the UK.”

Since the announcement, more than 1,337 people have signed a petition launched by Nikki McKnight calling for the decision to be reversed.

Nikki said: “If all in Swindon took up climbing it would be a much better community. Swindon is only better with the Ridge Wall in it.

“Please do not allow the closure of this fabulous and much loved resource in Swindon.”

To sign the petition visit change.org/p/swindon-borough-council-stop-the-closure-of-the-ridge-wall-swindon