THE future of the Basingstoke Sports Centre remains unclear after a petition signed by more than 10,000 people was presented to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

More than 50 staff and patrons of the town centre facility turned up with placards to a full council meeting on Thursday, 22 February where the Basingstoke Sports Trust sought reassurance over the centre’s future.

As previously reported in The Gazette, the trust which runs the centre is concerned plans to build a business-class hotel with leisure facilities in Basing View will impact the sustainability of the sports centre.

Speaking to council members, trust chairman Martyn Frost said: “We’re happy to play our part in supporting the borough’s ambitions and we understand the importance that Basing View might play. However, we are shocked and dismayed to learn of the significant leisure offering that comes with the hotel.”

Chief executive at the sports centre James Starbuck added: “Ultimately, the petition asks the council to reconsider its decision to support the hotel and seek a hotel or other development without such a sizeable leisure offering.

“However, should our petition prove unsuccessful and the development does go ahead then we at the very least seek support to mitigate the impact of the cabinet’s decision.”

Opposition councillors made a motion for for the petition to be put before the borough’s community, environment and partnerships committee so the future of the centre could be debated in a public forum, rather than a decision being made by a council portfolio holder.

Leader of the Basingstoke Liberal Democrat Party Councillor Gavin James said: “Vague promises from the Conservatives of future support with few details and no guarantees will not be enough to secure the future of this vital and valuable asset for the people of Basingstoke and Deane. We’ve had enough of being fobbed off. Detailed and well-supported evidence had been ignored for too long.

“I have repeatedly expressed my concern that the whole “business class hotel on Basing View” proposal is a poor deal for the council. It will result in the council potentially missing out on millions of pounds of income.”

Popley West ward Councillor Jane Frankum added: “The sports centre does so much more than what we get to hear about here.”

However, cabinet member for property and development, Councillor John Izett said businesses in Basing View have been lobbying for a hotel of this kind for a long time.

The motion for the future of the sports centre to be discussed at the committee meeting was lost by one vote.

A planning application has already been submitted for the hotel, which would be operated by Villages Hotels.