There has been an outpouring of frustration from local people following the announcement that Catmose Sports Centre will be closed to the public from 31 March 2023.

Yesterday, 26 January 2023, Rutland County Council announced the closure of Catmose Sports Centre to the public.

Rutland County Council's contract with Stevenage Leisure Ltd (SLL) to operate the facility ends on 31 March 2023. Following Cabinet approval in April 2022, the Council has been working to find an operator to continue to provide public leisure access at the site. 

Rutland County Council have announced that "sadly, the Council has been unable to find an operator who can run Catmose Sports Centre at zero cost", meaning that the centre will close to the public on 31 March 2023. 

Catmose Sports currently has around 900 members, as well as serving casual users and members of local sports clubs. 

Hear from Rutland County Council Leader, Cllr Lucy Stephenson, on the closure:

Not only will members lose a much-loved space to keep fit and socialise, but nearly 20 staff members will lose their jobs. On top of this, a range of local clubs will either have to cease activities or find alternative spaces to run. These clubs include Rutland Youth Dance Academy, a local kickboxing group, and casual badminton players who will now have no access to such facilities in Oakham, the County Town of Rutland.

One centre user said: "There's about 30 kids and as many adults that loved the kickboxing classes here! Such a shame."

Local lady, Linda, added: "Another leisure facility taken from the locals of Oakham!"

One member of staff at Catmose Sports Centre requested that users do not get frustrated with the staff, and reminded both gym and social media users that, while customers are losing a much-valued fitness facility, the staff are losing their jobs.

Local lady Karen, added: "Well that's the last of the leisure facilities. Maybe we should get behind the Pure Gym petition?"

The Facebook group, Get Pure Gym into Oakham, was started in early 2023, before the closure of Catmose Sports Centre was announced.

Meanwhile, many users are encouraging fellow fitness enthusiasts to contact the Rutland and Melton MP, Alicia Kearns, to discuss the dwindling leisure facilities in Oakham.

This closure comes just after The Centenary Fields Oakham Skatepark Project was rejected by Oakham Town Council, begging the question, where does this lack of fitness infrastructure leave Oakham and its residents?

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