Thanks for a great gift

Published: 3 September, 2010

• FOR more than two years I have campaigned vigorously to reflect the views of all Sobell Centre users and secure its future by overturning the previous Liberal Democrat council administration’s ill-conceived and highly unpopular policy of demolition.

My efforts have been given tremendous support by Gordon Kerr, James Dunnett and Peter Baird, all of whom have given freely and generously of their time and expertise.

Definitely a team effort! As expected, the new Labour council has fulfilled its pre-election promises of support for the centre, replacing the demolition policy with a positive and forward-looking one of improvement and refurbishment.

All users are very thankful that this common sense approach to the future of the centre now prevails.

It is also great news that the centre will be used as an Olympic training camp.

What better way of raising the profile of this excellent facility and encouraging young residents to emulate the example of the elite athletes using this facility.

Even more significant is the council’s decision to support our idea of unveiling a community plaque in recognition of Sir Michael Sobell and his gift of the centre to Islington.

The plaque will acknowledge the great value of the centre to all who use it. 

The unveiling will take place at the centre at 2.30pm on Tuesday and will be attended by two of Sir Michael’s granddaughters and possibly one of his daughters.

We have liaised fully with the council and Sobell Foundation Trustees on this project.

The wording on the plaque and its location at the centre have been agreed by all concerned.

The new council policy of improvement, together with the placement of the community plaque, the current expenditure of £1.7million on repairs and improvements to the centre plus its Olympic role will safeguard its immediate future.

However, there is a clear need for the development of a detailed and fully costed plan to map out the ways in which the centre may be improved further.

All who use the centre will want an input into the consultation phase of this plan.

Finally, I offer my sincere thanks to the many thousands of users and residents who, in their own ways, have given great backing to our efforts to save the centre over the past two years.

This support has always been greatly appreciated.

All users and residents can now look forward to a new era for the Sobell Centre.

BARRY HILL
Sobell user representative