Roof leak at Pavilions a ‘body blow’ as Horsham Gymnastics Centre forced to close temporarily

Damage at Horsham Gymnastics Centre (submitted). SUS-140810-101805001

Horsham Gymnastics Centre has been forced to turn away its members this week after rain damage to its roof in a ‘body blow’ for the group.

While part of the leisure centre at Pavilions in the Park is operated by Places for People, the hall is rented from Horsham District Council by the gymnastics centre, with more than 1,000 children attending classes and sessions every week from 9.30am-8pm.

Steve Barritt, one of the founders and a director at the Horsham Gymnastics Centre, told the County Times that during renovation works on the building’s roof commissioned by the council, water has leaked through the ceiling, causing water and ceiling tiles to drop into the hall.

Because of safety concerns from falling roof tiles it has closed until the ceiling is fixed.

Mr Barritt said: “Obviously this is a body blow to everybody that we can’t open and it affects a lot of people in Horsham.

“We have had to turn away birthday parties over the weekend. We will open as soon as we can but it will take some time to do that.”

He added: “It’s just disruptive and it’s going to cost a lot of money to repair and it’s wasted resources.”