A REGULAR user of Chard Leisure Centre has said users are getting "quite fed up" with having to pay to park every time they use the facility.
This includes people who have purchased annual memberships for the centre, which can cost hundreds of pounds.
Chard Leisure Centre opened on Monday, November 8.
South Somerset District Council invested around £16 million in the new town centre facility, which forms the first phase of its Chard regeneration scheme.
The centre was opened by Commonwealth Games gold medallist Matthew Clay, a former member of Chard Swimming Club.
It contains a gym, a five-lane 25-metre swimming pool, a dance and fitness studio, a virtual cycling studio, a café, and an indoor play area.
Chard Leisure Centre is run by Freedom Leisure on behalf of the district council under a 15-year deal that includes Wincanton Sports Centre and Goldenstones Leisure Centre in Yeovil.
After being contacted by Chard and Ilminster News, the council said its parking team will review parking charges at the centre "in conjunction with the leisure centre operator".
Retired science teacher Tony Arnold uses the leisure centre’s swimming pool regularly to try and keep fit by swimming lengths.
Tony, who is also the author of Science for the Gardener and chair of the Tatworth and District Horticultural Society, spent £232 on his membership and says he spends around £1.50 on parking every time he uses the centre.
Tony, who lives in Tatworth, said: “The pool is a superb, state-of-the-art facility and the council should be congratulated on spending £16 million to build such a wonderful leisure centre, because that’s a lot of money for a council.
“Those of us like me who have purchased a season ticket because it’s such a lovely leisure centre have got to pay at the pay and display car park and it’s making it quite expensive."
The leisure centre's website says: "We have limited spaces in our pay and display car park on-site. This can be accessed from Fore Street (by the post office sorting office on the High Street).
"Alternatively, you can also access the centre via the steps from the Boden Street public car park, or use street parking around the area.
"We encourage all locals to walk or cycle to the centre where possible."
Tony said: "People are getting quite fed up because they’re having to pay about £1.50 per visit to go to the leisure centre. That’s making it quite expensive, especially for people who visit every day.”
“For people who may not have too much money, £1.50 per day is quite a lot.”
He added the parking charges "may be putting people off coming along more frequently or signing up for a membership".
He would like to see leisure centre members receive a permit for the on-site pay and display car park as part of their membership.
Tony added: "It’s not just another public car park. It’s purpose-built for the leisure centre."
A spokesperson for South Somerset District Council said: "This is a public car park and charges apply for all users.
"However, following the feedback that has been received, this matter will be reviewed by our parking team in conjunction with the leisure centre operator."
Chard Leisure Centre declined to comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here