After months of campaigning and lobbying Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council, The Edge users have got their Christmas miracle – The Edge is reopening.

The leisure centre closed in June for seven months despite promises it would reopen to the public for the start of the school year in September 2023.

The closure has been extremely damaging for the clubs, particularly for two disability groups; Wheelchair Disabled Sports Team and the Cerebral Palsy Football Group. 

A report into The Edge explained the delay in opening has severely impacted the stability of the disability groups, with further delays risking their survival. Denying these two groups an equal opportunity as other user groups was a key reason Waverley engaged with Surrey over opening the facility more widely.

It added: “The Edge is the only facility truly accessible in the borough and surrounding area.”

Waverley has agreed to take on the running of the site, paying £100,000 of the yearly running costs with Surrey paying the other £150,000. The decision was formally taken by Waverley leader Councillor Paul Follows on December 20.

Cllr Paul Follows, leader of WBC said: “We have stepped in to offer a short-term solution because we know how important The Edge is to local sports teams, particularly disability groups that are unable to access other facilities. Our investment will enable everyone to experience the physical and mental benefits of sport, while allowing SCC further time to establish a long-term management plan.”

Mr Hunt said: “I know how important The Edge is to local families and community groups; the campaign to bring it back into use by these dozens of groups is a testament to that importance. 

“Together they have run a fantastic campaign which I’m delighted has moved Waverley to make this decision to get this much-loved centre accessible to local clubs again.”

Chris Grimes, chair of Sports Haslemere, has campaigned hard to reopen The Edge. 

He said: “Sport Haslemere is delighted with this fantastic news for all sports lovers in our area. The hard work and dedication of a number of people over the last 12 months has persuaded WBC of the need for this wonderful facility to be re-opened for those clubs who use the hall. 

“We are glad that common sense has prevailed and that our clubs can now enjoy the excellent facilities at The Edge once again.”

Mayor Jerome Davidson said: “Local residents have been severely impacted by the loss of this important facility and I am pleased that discussions can now take place to ensure its long term use.”