A Maldon badminton club leader has called the forcing of sports groups and clubs out of Blackwater Leisure Centre a "public disgrace."

Clubs will be kicked out of Blackwater Leisure Centre to replace the sports hall with a 'clip and climb' climbing wall facility.

The changes follow £6million of investment by Places Leisure into leisure sites across the district. In 2024, Maldon council awarded the leisure centre operator a 20-year contract for the operation and management of the district's leisure facilities.

Mike Jones, Chelmsford district league badminton fixture secretary, says the changes have caused him to fear for the impact on people's health. 

Mr Jones added: "I am absolutely flabbergasted by the council's decision to close the sports hall – the only publicly available sports hall in Maldon. For an expanding town the size of Maldon not to have any available courts, public or private, is beyond belief; it's a disgrace.

"I can't believe this is being taken away from the community – who made this decision – it doesn't make any sense at all. The footfall for the sports hall is sustainable. I can't believe that is being jeopardised.

"The community should be supported, that is what people's council tax pays for. Not some climbing wall that gets limited use.

"Surely a sports centre should be there as a sporting arena, where people can try badminton, and learn new sports, and be used by the community, and keep fit, try team sports, and bond with people."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed plans also include removing the former jungle river feature ride from the swimming pool, as well as adding a new training pool and updated sauna and steam rooms. 

In a joint statement from Places Leisure and Maldon Council said:  "The investment works will be completed in phases, with the first phase resulting in the closure of the main sports hall at Blackwater Leisure Centre to allow for major work to be completed to turn the current space into a state-of-the-art gym and clip and climb facility.

"Unfortunately, this means that the main sports hall only will no longer be available for use. We are sorry for the disruption this may cause.

 "There are local community halls and centres within the district which currently host several badminton clubs. Finding alternative venues for users of the main sports hall is a priority.

"Places Leisure and Maldon Council has already had several positive meetings with some of the clubs and users affected by the closure to discuss their options and how we can best support them. We will continue to have these conversations and would encourage anyone who is directly impacted by the closure to contact Places Leisure directly."