Blandford Leisure Centre has been saved.

County councillors have recommended an exceptional one-off payment of £100,000 to the cash-strapped district council to save the threatened facility on Milldown Road.

The money will be shared out over the next three years if the recommendation is given the thumbs-up by cabinet bosses and a meeting of the full council.

District council leader, Cllr Peter Webb, said the recommendation was extremely welcome news for Blandford residents and people living in nearby villages. “Given the strength and amount of support so far committed, I am now certain that the facility will be able to continue operations for many years,” said Cllr Webb.

The leisure centre faced closure in April 2010 when an annual district council subsidy of £250,000 comes to an end.

Cllr Webb pledged that the district council would pay to maintain the building and invest in improvements to bring down operating costs.

He praised civic leaders at Blandford Town Council for their early declaration of support for the centre. Councillors have backed their support with a funding pledge of £50,000 a year for three years.

Parish councils in Blandford St Mary, Charlton Marshall, Child Okeford, Durweston, Farnham, Pimperne and Stourpaine have also pledged their support.

Blandford’s former mayor, Cllr Steve Hitchings, who heads the Blandford Leisure Centre Action Group, said the funding was a “result”.

“I’m a little bit disappointed that DCC didn’t come on board with £100,000 a year, but it’s good news that they have come on board. The leisure centre is saved,” said Cllr Hitchings.

A tender process to find a charitable trust to take over the centre will start in the New Year. Trustees could take over the running of the centre in April, he added.

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