Published: Thursday, 11th June, 2009 8:00am

Letter: Clubs will lose their identity

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Having been involved since the onset, it came as a considerable surprise to be informed at a meeting called by Julia Woodbridge, the horticulture and amenity co-ordinator at Wokingham Borough Council (WBC), that the sports pavilion at Laurel Park was to be closed down (Chronicle, June 4).

We formed Loxwood Park Rangers FC in 1985 for young men to take advantage of the new football pitches and sports pavilion created for the community at Laurel Park.

At the meeting we were told that the sports pavilion, being a "stand alone" facility, was to be closed down as it was no longer viable, there being a loss of some £5,000 per year. This was arrived at after income was deducted from expenditure.

Expenditure was explained as the cost of cleaning, maintenance and rates. When asked who the rates were paid to it was not known!

We were advised that the football pitches would still be available for use, indeed work is currently going on to prepare them for the new season. However, without the use of changing, washing and toilet facilities we, as adult males would be unable to use the pitches.

It seems incomprehensible it can even be considered that juniors could continue to use these pitches without toilet facilities, or is it deemed acceptable for young boys and girls to use the bushes as toilets?

There are three elements which give concern in this extraordinary decision by WBC: How can a sports pavilion, which was built for this purpose and this purpose only, now be considered to be a "stand alone" liability?

Who do WBC pay rates to on the pavilion if not themselves and if themselves, how much would it reduce the shortfall if they were not claimed?

Once the pitches are not being used enough to be any longer viable, will the land be sold off for development thus saving the expense of maintenance? We are currently waiting to be informed where we will be allocated to play our home matches. If this is not acceptable and we lose our "local" identity, we would have to consider after 24 years, whether we should fold as a club.

Brian Smith

Earley