A BORDON creche could be forced to close because it has nowhere to meet.
Mill Chase Creche, which currently meets in an old school classroom in Mill Chase Community School, could close in April when Mill Chase Leisure Centre - which shares its site with the community school - is taken over by new management.
The centre will be managed by East Hampshire District CouncilÕs contractor DC Leisure Management, which also manages Alton Sports Centre and the Taro Centre in Petersfield.
However, the room where the creche meets is not in the new managementÕs contract, which means it could be forced to close.
Leisure centre manager Danny Churcher said: ÒThe school wants the classroom back so there is nothing DC Leisure can do about it - it is not in the contract to manage the room.
ÒThere is not a room available for the creche and without a room it is impossible to run a creche.Ó
However, parents and childminders who use the creche, which is open between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Thursdays, are not happy about the present state of affairs.
Michelle Marking, who is a childminder and has three children of her own, said: ÒItÕs disappointing. ItÕs been there for about 15 or 16 years I know it was there when my eldest was a baby and sheÕs 12 coming up 13 now.
ÒI went to a fitness class at the leisure centre last week and most of the mums there use the creche.
ÒIf it closes it will mean that lots of mums wonÕt be able to do anything during the day because they wonÕt be anle to leave their children at the creche.Ó
Kim Francis, who has two children, said: ÒThe creche is very good and I think that if it goes a lot of mums will find it very difficult.
Parents and childminders plan to set up a petition on Monday to try and keep the creche open.
Michelle Marking said: ÒWe plan to start the petition up when we go back after half-term and we will try and get as many people as possible to sign it.Ó