An extraordinary meeting is due to held to decide the fate of Falmouth's leisure centre.

The council's Cabinet will meet at County Hall today (March 4th) at 10am to consider the future of Ships and Castles leisure centre.

Cornwall Council officers have recommended that the leading Cabinet should approve the closure of the leisure centre and the possible sell-off of the site.

Ahead of the meeting, the council said there is "no viable bid" to operate Ships and Castles leisure centre.

This means that if the Cabinet decide that all avenues to find a workable solution have been exhausted, the Council could be working with GLL to close Ships and Castles leisure centre in Falmouth by March 31st, 2022.

A group made up of Pendennis Leisure, residents, leisure centre users, and councillors all gathered outside the centre this week to voice their opposition to the closure.

Among them was Gemma Lawley of Pendennis Leisure, who told Nub News:

"We are still fighting, we are still encouraging people to email the cabinet members. We'd like to see people go to County Hall on Friday if they can from 9am to support. Keep making noise.

"We are not rolling over and saying this is the decision, we will still be fighting after that as well. We are frustrated, angry, disappointed, but there's fight left in us yet."

Councillor Jayne Kirkham said she was "disappointed" at the potential closure of the centre, commenting:

"I am shocked, particularly shocked that we seem to be the only leisure centre now that is at risk of closure. The biggest town in Cornwall, youngest population, on a peninsula, a place that needs to swim more than anywhere else and we are the ones having our pool shut.

"It just seems shockingly unfair and it will have repercussions. I was shocked when I heard about it, I didn't think they would recommend closing Ships & Castles but to leave Wadebridge open - because that means three out of the four now have been saved but for some reason, they can't go that extra mile and keep Ships & Castles open.

"If they take this decision we will seriously be considering calling it in (asking them to look again at the decision). We don't really think this has been done properly."

Also at the gathering was concerned residents Glyn Wilkinson, whose kids learnt to swim at the centre. She added:

"I think the councillors are concerned more about costs, but my concern is, what is the long term costs of not having an accessible swimming pool?

"If it was run properly it could become a huge community hub. We are a coastal community and people need to learn to swim for their health, safety, and longevity."

Late last night, Deputy Mayor Councillor Kirstie Edwards, posted a heartfelt message to the community following their efforts to protect the site:

"I just want to thank every single person that has shared their views, shouted, sung, cried, ranted, written, and been passionate about our pool and headland and tried to save it.

"Despite the frustration and fury many have felt, Falmouth has pulled together, mobilised, been practical, positive, clear headed, effective and above all, been united in its efforts.

"I want to say a huge and heartfelt thanks especially to those dedicated folks behind Pendennis Leisure whom don't take enough credit for all they have done in the last few months - Tom, Matthew, Mark, Lorna, Chris, Rachel , Gemma, Miguel, Mel, Ben, and every other person on the CIC team. They have poured everything they have, into coming up with a professional proposal with as much support as Falmouth Town Council has been able to provide.

"You've blown me away with your passion, energy and dedication on behalf of Falmouth.

"Whatever the outcome, we should all be proud of what we have tried to do here and keep that united positive teamwork going, in all our future endeavours.

"Going to sleep somewhat sad and prepared for the worst, but so incredibly grateful and proud that this is OUR town and these are OUR people and OUR community."

You can watch the meeting live here.

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