A COUNCILLOR has criticised a Slough charity for behaviour that has “worried and upset people unnecessarily” as residents were given the chance to have their say on the future of the bowling alley this week.

Slough Community Leisure, which manages Absolute Leisure venues, had called on Slough Borough Council to go back on its plans to close Absolutely Ten Pin in Salt Hill Park in May, 2017.

They claim 30 young local people would lose their jobs and £700,000 of charitable money will be spent to relocate the equipment to a new site outside of Slough.

However, the council insist misinformation has been put around because the current contractor is upset their contract is ending.

As residents were given the chance to have their say on what could be delivered at the site, Cllr Joginder Bal said: “Sport and leisure activities are fundamental to people’s health and wellbeing, and they should be fun.

"The improvements we’re making to our facilities across the town are a once in a generation change, but lots of people seem to be concerned by the misinformation being put around about the future of this particular one.

“I would say, though we understand the current operator might be upset, their behaviour has worried and upset people unnecessarily.

“Don’t listen to those who would tell you the council doesn’t care about your views and facilities.”

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: A frustrated Rob Whitehouse believes it is "madness" on behalf of the council to close Absolutely Ten Pin in Salt Hill Park.

The contract to operate the new facility in Salt Hill Park is part of the major leisure contract which is currently being tendered and includes Montem and Langley leisure centres, and Slough Ice Arena.

Rob Whitehouse is chief executive of Slough Community Leisure and has vented his frustration at the lack of public discussion and consultation on the planned closure.

He argued: “Absolutely Ten Pin and its soft play facility is a much-loved venue that is regularly used by families, young people and disadvantaged groups, and has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

“We developed this venue with the support of the council in 2010 which was a major investment for us. It does not cost the council anything to run and attracts over 100,000 visitors a year.

“We’ve asked the council on numerous occasions why they no longer want a Ten Pin centre, but they refuse to tell us; they will not share their plans with us.”

“It seems madness to us, at a time when finances are tight, that the council wishes to close a well-used profitable facility and waste a charity’s resources.”

Have your say now by posting a comment below, tweet @Robs_Sports or e-mail rob.stevens@newsquest.co.uk