THE recent closure of a public toilet facility in one of Wrexham’s most well-used parks has been met with criticism from the secretary of a bowling club.

Facilities at Bellevue Park were shut for the final time at the end of last month in the council’s bid to save money.

News of the unexpected closure came after councillor Phil Wynn, who represents the area the park is in, took to social media to criticise the authority for providing ‘zero advance notice’ of the move.

Wrexham Council later went on to apologise for their failings to notify members of the public about the closure.

However, the secretary of the Parciau Bowling Club, which is located within Bellevue Park, expressed his concerns at the severity of the impact this could have on his club.

Gren Edwards, 74, from Wrexham, said: “I just don’t understand why the council would close the widely used public toilet without another plan in place.

“Our club only has access to one female and one male toilet, which is definitely not going to solve the high volume of demand the recent closure will create.”

Behind the club’s building, there are two council owned toilets, which Mr Edwards states should be opened on a more frequent basis.

He added: “There are two toilets, which cater for women and the disabled but unless there’s an event held within the park, they are never open.

“Our club holds open bowling competitions, which sees individuals attend from all over the UK to play at our premises.

“How are we expected to cater for all these people plus the public with just the two toilets available in our building?

“Is the council going to open the other toilets more?

“Probably not because of all the cuts to vital services.

“It’s a basic human right to have access to a toilet but it won’t be the council who has to explain to the public why they have to wait to use ours, especially if there’s an event on in the summer.

“What if it they’ve got stomach conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and have to wait in a long queue?”

Darren Williams, chief officer for environment and technical, said: “The decision to close the facility was made during budget decisions last year.

“There are no plans to change arrangements for the toilets in Bellevue Park.”

Mr Edwards, added: “Our club is a lifeline for the elderly community.

“We’ve had members here with cancer who played up to two weeks before their deaths.

“It’s a social place where everyone, especially the older generation can come to have a chat and a laugh with others.

“We do receive a grant from the Community Council in relation to looking after the two bowling greens within the area but any additional funds we need, we raise ourselves.

“Next year, our club will need to find the fees to pay for our own water and electric rates, which could be potentially unaffordable if no other public toilet is created within the premises.”