VOLUNTEERS are now fighting to keep Sturminster Newton Sports Centre open to the public.

They came forward at a public meeting to discuss its future, held at The Exchange, after North Dorset District Council withdrew its subsidy.

Jurassic Leisure Trust has managed it since April 2009 and hoped to break even but the centre is now running a significant deficit.

Discussions have been taking place between the council, Sturminster Newton High School and the SturQuest community partnership.

A spokesman for North Dorset District Council said: “At the public meeting, volunteers came forward who were prepared to form a group to establish whether community access could be maintained.”

John Lewis from the community partnership SturQuest said: “There was a very good turnout, a couple of hundred people.

“Initially we want to keep it running after the Jurassic Trust leave and that will give us time to at a more detailed business plan.”

The sports centre also provides the main gym facility and sports hall to Sturminster Newton High School.

Headteacher Jayne Barr said: “The public meeting went well and a working group is being set up to look at short term and longer term solutions.”

Even if the building closes to the public, there would be no threat to students’ use.

The sports centre was opened in 2000 and employs five full-time staff and additional part-time staff.

Facilities include a 36-station gym, four-court badminton sports hall that is also used for other sports like five-a-side football, and a dance studio. Classes include aerobics, spinning and circuit training.

Cllr Charles Fraser, leader of Sturminster Newton Town Council, said: “As I understand, the problem is the fitness suite, where staff were on North Dorset District Council pensions, and that will probably have to close for a period in order to legitimise the redundancy process.

“Certainly it’s in the school’s interest to obtain additional use and funding because it will help with the costs.”

The Jurassic Trust is withdrawing from the centre, by mutual agreement, on Sunday, December 4.