CASH-STRAPPED mums could face losing hundreds of pounds if a city creche closes. Mothers
who use the gym at the Coventry Sports Centre, in Fairfax Street, are
outraged after being told the child minder facilities there could be
axed in under four weeks because it is “no longer financially viable.” But
they have suffered a further blow after some mums were told they won’t
be able to cancel their gym membership, but instead switch to a peak-time tariff that costs more. Sophia
Giampaglia, of Biggenhall Crescent, Stoke, signed up for a year’s
membership on Friday March 13, only to be told three days later the
creche may close, leaving her two children out of care. The
24-year-old said: “I signed up to the gym because like many other mums
I want to lose weight and get back into shape. I don’t have any family
that can look after my kids and thought the creche would help me out. “But
now I’ve been told I can’t cancel my monthly membership of £27.50 but
can switch to an evening membership costing me £31.50 a month - how is
that fair?” Bosses say
falling numbers and the credit crunch have forced them to consider
closing the creche and the Jungle Junction kids play area. A second creche based at Foleshill Leisure Centre may also close. Coventry
Sports Trust, which runs both sites, has started negotiations with
staff and warns of a possible six redundancies at the centre. But users
have collected more than 250 signatures on a petition and are willing
to fundraise in a bid to keep it open. Caroline
Slater, of Toll Bar End, said: “A staff member told us the creche needs
around £20,000 to run for a year - we would be willing to try and raise
that in four weeks.” Sarah
Ascroft, aged 26, of Dean Street, Stoke, added: “I have been using the
centre for six months and it’s disgraceful they can get rid of it just
like that. “It is the most central facility for everyone to get to and we would pay for it to stay open.” Brian Mee, head of operations at the trust, played down the £20,000 figure needed for the creche to stay open. He said: “The overall costs are quite significant but £20,000 for a whole year is not enough. “If
someone could get that sort of money together then it would be great
but we are still in negotiations with staff. If there are suggestions
on how we can run things better or be financially more secure then we
will listen to the ideas. “This
creche is in a central location but we have got other services people
can visit. We are talking to staff today and a decision will be made
within a week to 10 days.” What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk. | 
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