“I am overwhelmed by sadness and anger to hear that the council officers are recommending the demolition of the Victoria Leisure Centre. The current facility is in desperate need of renovation but to destroy it is beyond belief. The Centre is extremely popular; thousands use it not only for swimming but for gym and sports hall work too. I used it to rehabilitate myself after breaking my arm, my wife used it for antenatal classes and the facilities were good enough to train Rebecca Adlington to be a world-class athlete. As well as these basic facilities the building is truly unique, one of the few examples of attractive architecture left in the city and the only public owned facility in Britain providing Turkish baths, this is a facility we cannot afford to lose.
It will truly be a bizarre decision if the Labour councilors decide to demolish it and replace it with a new swimming pool. Before Christmas they were adamant that the best decision was to destroy the whole building and replace it with nothing as the facility cost too much to renovate (circa £2 million). Now they are advocating a decision that will cost the taxpayer many millions more (circa £8-9 million) yet reduce the number of facilities. What kind of decision maker could support a massive expenditure that actually reduces the amount of facilities available? Over 80% of people surveyed by the council in Nottingham want to keep the original building, it will demonstrate breathtaking arrogance and contempt for the people of Nottingham if they decide to destroy part of our heritage.
If we had been elected to the council I would not only be arguing for the renovation and remodeling of the existing facility but lobbying for the building of a full sized Olympic swimming pool and family focused facilities that would kick start the regeneration of the Sneinton Market area. I fully support the Save the Victoria Baths campaign, they played a vital role ensuring Labour kept some leisure facilities on the east side of the city and hopefully they will be victorious again in ensuring the Councilors select renovation over demolition.”

“I quite agree Equaliser, Nottingham City Council destroyed Nottingham`s history in the 1960`s and 1970`s, to make way for "privately" built, hideous shopping centres. Whereas, the likes of York, for example, retained their natural history and provided a city of historical interest for generations to come.

Why not spend the smaller ammount on refurbishing the original building and keeping it`s existing historical past, with modern day improvements?”

“With Nottingham's reputation for the wanton destruction of heritage buildings what do you expect?
The building has gone past its sell by date if we take this reputation into account.
I fear for any building over 50 years old in the City.
All I can think is that there has always been a group of cozy developers/builders waiting in the wings at City Hall!”

“I'm all for regenerating where regeneration is due. But the council have obviously not bothered to listen to what the public want. A renovation of the current buildings would be cheaper and preferred to anything else. I also think there are more pressing issues in that area such as Sneinton Market which is supposed to be rebuilt, and the East Side which isn't happening yet. The council needs to address the regeneration of bits of this area that matter. Why don't they spend the money on getting stuff that's really important to the regeneration of that area happening. They are only pushing this through so the people who opposed them don't get their own way.”

“Another sham of a public consultation. Our glorious leaders made their minds up months ago.”

“john, St Anns you are spot on yet again.
thanks”

“Stand by for some more incompetent project management from Nottingham City Council.

If the current "estimate" is £9m you know it'll cost the Nottingham taxpayer the best part of £20m before it's finally opened - one year late.

Have you learnt ANY lessons from Market Square & your Contemporary Art Centre Collins ?”

“why demolish an historic building, just to replace it with a possible concrete box. Nottingham is losing it's heritage, soon no historic buildings will be left. at a time when there is a recession and council cutting it's budget, a repair would be best. there would not be this discussion if maintenance of the leisure center was done over the years, instead of letting it get into a run down state. Lets turn council house into a leisure center instead, that would make more people use it. Council as usual just want to waste money, re-building things that do not need to be re-built, but as is the norm, nottingham councils will not listen to us. an election time is close at hand, let's get rid of all the greedy labour councillors, lets elect a party who listens to the elctorate.”

“My wife uses the Victoria Leisure Centre several times a week and in her opinion there is nothing much wrong with the place.
It's an attractive and historic building which once our innept council knock down and build a Lego leisure centre in place will be sorely missed by not only customers but local folk like me who see it as a landmark which should never be touched.
Take a walk through town and see for yourself the damage this council has done!
Endless eyesore student flats+Glass house Cinema's replacing Victorian works of art+Turning the Market square into what looks like a huge car park devoid of warmth and soul.
This Councils legacy was to destroy everthing good about old Nottingham for the sake of modernisation.
I can't wait to vote these morons off come the elections like most of my friends and family.”

“Sack social care workers because of lack of money, then spend millions of pounds to improve leisure facilities, who uses these leisure facilities? I am to tired after doing a 55 hor week to pay my inflated council tax and rent.”