And the Blue Peris Mountain Centre, right under Yr Wyddfa, Wales’ highest mountain, in North Wales. Sadly, Bedford Borough Council have taken the decision to shut it. In the end, that’s exactly what Mayor Tom Wootton did in July when he voted to end the centre’s lease. This change has helped advance the council’s goal of meeting its savings target. This decision has sparked a firestorm of outrage. Local councillors and community members have expressed their outrage and disappointment at Tuesday’s decision.
The closure comes as part of Mayor Dino Tomaran’s larger financial plan to cut costs in an already small borough. In a refreshing development, four councillors, including Doug McMurdo, took action to challenge the Mayor’s decision. They claim the numbers used throughout deliberations on the centre’s future were inaccurate and misleading. In their lawsuit, they claim that other alternatives to the closure were not properly explored.
“spoken to the site… and it would appear that all options have not been considered” – Doug McMurdo
There is no doubting that the Blue Peris Mountain Centre offers phenomenal experiences to young adults across the British Isles and beyond. They are upset, even though the council meant well. Sarah Gallagher, the administration’s portfolio holder for leisure, acknowledged she was unaware of the centre. She confessed that she hadn’t seen it yet. Mayor Tom Wootton admitted he had not been to the centre recently, indicating a disconnect between decision-makers and the facility they are opting to close.
Gallagher also mentioned that the seniors center primarily served a small percentage of the residents from Bedford borough. This left open the question of what the net impact was. Critics say its promise goes much deeper than just how often it’s used.
Michael Barber, a geography teacher who visited the centre as a child in 1975, expressed his dismay at the impending closure. He highlighted the one-of-a-kind educational opportunities offered by the centre’s location.
“You’ve got this beautiful environment you can use plus the ability to study and learn, so that double whammy makes it vitally important” – Michael Barber
It was local resident Charles Royden who brought the issue to attention. Read more about his efforts to spread awareness about the youth development imperative Bedford would face if the center closed.
“It’s very disappointing that the life chances of young people in this borough are being snatched away at Blue Peris by people who have never even been to visit Blue Peris, not looked at what can be done to turn it into a profit” – Charles Royden
As the scrutiny panel voted to uphold the decision to close the Blue Peris Mountain Centre, community members and local leaders continue to voice their concerns. They continue to push for additional study of alternatives, which they believe would allow the facility to operate while ensuring that it remains accessible to generations to come.
