Walton: Leisure centre ‘white elephant’ says playwright (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Walton: Leisure centre ‘white elephant’ says playwright

11:16am Thursday 4th October 2007

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Walton's multi-thousand pound leisure centre has been accused of becoming an "unwelcome white elephant."

Amateur playwright Owen Lewis said the council-run Columbine Centre, in Hall Lane, which includes a purpose-built theatre, was too expensive to hire and he has called on the town council to rethink its policy.

Mr Lewis, who is the curriculum and community liaison officer at Clacton's Colbayns High School, tried to hire the theatre but was put off by the price.

"I thought how lovely it would be to use the purpose-built theatre for a local writer's work - for example mine seeing how I live in Walton and support the centre through my council tax."

However, he was quoted £700 for two nights and £50 to have the chairs pulled out on their moveable platform.

Mr Lewis said he could not afford this and his show will now take place at the West Cliff, Clacton.

said: "It is irksome seeing as how it is supposed to be serving the community.

"The thing is becoming a huge and unwelcome white elephant."

Frinton and Walton mayor Terry Allen described the charges as quite reasonable.

He said they were for the whole 24 hours and pointed out the West Cliff was susidised by the district council.

For more see this week's Gazette.

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