THE YMCA sports centre in Melrose Close at Maidstone will close its doors for the final time on Wednesday, March 27, after more than 30 years. Increased maintenance costs, a reduction in funding and poor visitor figures mean it is no longer financially viable.

Staff will be made redundant at the end of March when almost all of the operations will cease. Only the pre-school, the Maidstone netball league and groups with day-long bookings for certain facilities will continue to use the centre on a short-term basis.

The management committee wants to sell off two thirds of the land for housing development and has submitted an outline planning application to Maidstone Borough Council.

The money from the sale will be used to build a community centre, an all-weather play area and children's playground. YMCA operations manager Lynda Dale said: "It is just the building that is closing down, not the charity. The YMCA still has a presence in Maidstone in its outreach work, and we will be back."

Mrs Dale was eager to quash rumours that there was a complication with the planning application because of a covenant stating that the land had to be used for leisure purposes. She said: "The land is there to support the charity in whatever way it needs to be used. It has all been checked out by our solicitor and there is no covenant on the land."

To ensure the centre goes out with a bang, it will be hosting a final roller disco on Saturday, March 30. For more information on the event call 01622 743630.