A PLEA to Waverley not to target The Edge Leisure Centre to plug a £1.5million hole in its budget was made by the organiser of successful sports festival held there last week.

Just under 1,000 people enjoyed Haslemere’s Festival of Sport, held at The Edge and Woolmer Hill Sports Ground, on August bank holiday Monday.

The enjoyed an open invitation to “Have a Go” at free taster sessions offered by 25 clubs and organisations.

Event organiser Peter Lawrence, who is chairman of Sport Haslemere, said.“Ben Horne and his team from The Edge made the day all possible, setting up all the facilities,”

“It is only possible to host such a festival because of the  wonderful facilities at Woolmer Hill.

“There are two astro pitches, three football pitches, four rugby pitches, an athletics track, a modern pavilion and The Edge indoor leisure centre with a large hall, a dance studio and a fitness suite - all on the one site and in beautiful surroundings.

“These are unrivalled facilities in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire and it was fantastic to see so many people enjoying a sport or activity at Woolmer Hill and hopefully joining one of the many clubs in the local area with their great facilities. 

“We sincerely hope Waverley will invest further in The Edge and also invest outdoors with more floodlit astro surface for the ever-growing requirement for junior football.

“A floodlit ‘two, four, six lane’ athletics track would also be a fantastic addition to accommodate all the many runners in the area.”

This week, Michael Chevis who founded Midhurst-based Leaping Hart archery club earlier this year, echoed Mr Lawrence’s plea to not only save the centre – but to expand its sports activities.

Leaping Hart offered taster sessions at the festival and was one of the most popular attractions. Mr Chevis is now hoping to offer regular archery sessions at The Edge, which he described as a “fantastic” centre.

He told The Herald: “We were so busy, we were still going at 4.45pm even though the festival closed at 4pm. Archery is such an inclusive sport.

“If I can get enough support in Haslemere I’d like to offer sessions at The Edge because the facilities are fantastic.”

In March, the town council urged Waverley not to cut leisure services, saying: “The Edge Leisure Centre is one of the best and largest sports and recreation facilities in Haslemere.

“It is used by a number of sports clubs and the Woolmer Hill Technology College for teaching PE.

“In the town emergency plan, which has been agreed with Waverley Borough Council, The Edge is the largest emergency rest centre in Haslemere with a capacity of 350.”

In March, Haslemere Town Council fired off a hard-hitting letter to Waverley Borough Council leader Julia Potts, objecting to the “lack of consultation” before approving proposals to axe the town’s weekly green waste collection service at Wey Hill Fairground car park.

WBC?also voted to close the public toilets in the High Street and cut back services at The Edge – one of two leisure centres in the town.

But despite town council objections, the waste collection was axed in April and its has now agreed to take over the management of public toilets to ensure the vital facility stays open.

Waverley’s portfolio holder for health councillor Jenny Else, who supported cut backs at The Edge said: “In 2014/5 the council invested £4million refurbishing Haslemere Leisure Centre, which has proven to be a great success with residents and usage increasing significantly.

“In these challenging financial times we feel it’s appropriate to consider future options for The Edge.”