PLANS remain in place to reopen a leisure centre which has been closed for more than a year.

Queen’s Park Leisure Centre in Bournemouth has not been operational since at least summer.

The facility in Queen's Park South Drive is run by BH Live, a Bournemouth-based charitable social enterprise.

A notice on the BH Live Active website for Queen’s Park said the centre is temporarily closed, adding: “The planned reopening continues to be affected by ongoing industry and economic challenges. These include a significant increase in operating costs, including energy, utilities, and recruitment.

“At this time, customers are using facilities and accessing services at other BH Live Active centres as part of our multisite membership.

“Please use the facilities at alternative nearby centres including Littledown, Stokewood, Sir David English Sports Centre and Pelhams Park.”

The Daily Echo asked BH Live if it still planned to reopen the centre, did it require refurbishment before reopening and if there was a reopening date.

In response, a BH Live spokesperson said: “Queen’s Park remains temporarily closed at the moment. When we have information about reopening we’ll be able to let you know what that looks like in terms of dates and remobilising the centre.

“All of the gym equipment is still in situ.”

Cllr Mark Anderson, ward member for Queen’s Park, said he was glad to hear the centre was not closed for good.

“I have been chasing them (BH Live) for six months to make a statement,” Cllr Anderson said.

Bournemouth Echo: Cllr Mark AndersonCllr Mark Anderson (Image: BCP Council)

“I am really pleased that they have confirmed that.

“I have been having conversations with them since May this year to try and get it reopened.

“Quite a lot of residents in my ward are really keen to use it. It is close to them and the really like going there.”

BCP Council backed out of a plan to buy the leisure centre last year.

Suggestions the local authority could acquire the site came to light after it was listed as an item to be discussed as council meetings.

It was due to be debated at meetings in January, however, in December last year the council confirmed to the Daily Echo that the plan had been dropped.