Two of Falmouth's Cornwall Councillors have said they believe Cornwall Council has many questions to answer regarding its plans for the town's leisure centre Ships and Castles.

Candy Atherton, councillor for Falmouth Smithick, said: "From reading the papers it is clear to me that Cornwall Council plans to close Ships and Castles and use any money from sales of the land to prop up other centres in Cornwall. 

"Cornwall Council has already stripped Falmouth of the money for our dredge now it plans to close our only public swimming pool and leisure centre. I have a history in seeing local councils closing leisure centres. 

"Fifteen years ago Kerrier did this to Carn Brea.  With 2 other women and the local community we re-opened the centre and look at it now.

"It is too easy to say close the centre, far harder to say let's solve the problem.  Cornwall Council, take up the challenge, and turn Ships and Castles into the success it could and should be.

"We recognise that Cornwall Council has huge financial problems imposed by the government but local people fail to understand why services are to be closed, jobs lost and the land sold."

"This is another kick in the teeth to the people of Falmouth.

Hanna Toms, councillor for Falmouth Penwerris, added: "Where are the 600 local schoolchildren going to learn how to swim?  Such a vital service in a coastal town like Falmouth? 

"Does Cornwall Council really believe that agencies like Historic England will allow the council to sell off the land for development without a fight.  Of course not.  It is madness to think that this site could be sold of for development and, if it did, the chances of significant financial gains for the council are small as the costs of remediation are massive.

"Labour councillors in Falmouth say - go back to the drawing board Cornwall Council and think again."

Staff at the centre have organised a petition ahead of a Cornwall Council cabiniet debate on the centre's future, to be held on Wednesday.

The cabinet will debate three options: Closing the centre, paying a one off compensation claim of around £350,000 to operators Tempus Leisure and £100,000 a year in security and empty rates costs; keeping the centre open, without addressing the high risk of critical systems failure, at a cost of £722,000; or keeping the centre open, addressing the risk of critical systems failure, costing £1.549 million.

To sign the petition, go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/123/389/764/keep-ships-and-castles-leisure-centre-open/