RISCA Circuit Club is set to move from its home of 35 years after a dispute over its contract with the town’s leisure centre.

The club’s long-running exercise class, held on Mondays and Thursdays, took place at Risca Leisure Centre but is moving two miles away to Risca Rugby Club after a new contract could not be agreed.

As well as a price increase of £1.30, the leisure centre wished to run all classes at peak times and planned to implement a smart card system, where all fees would go directly to the centre.

This went against the circuit club’s long-running tradition of an in-house general account, which was used for socials and charitable donations, organisers said.

At informal meeting was set up by the club’s four-person committee but an agreement could not be reached. Cllr Phillipa Leonard attended in her capacity as a ward member.

Marie Davies, a long-term member of the club from Rogerstone, said: “It’s a real shame. We would love to stay.

“We ended up taking votes on where to move and we chose the Risca Rugby Club. But, if the weather is bad, the rugby team have to go indoors and we would all have to manage.”

This is an unprecedented dilemma for the club –- where under 18s and over 60s attend for free –- as it had access to two sports halls and a set of tennis courts at the Risca Leisure Centre.

A spokesman for Caerphilly Country Borough Council said: “The only alteration would have been that payment for the classes would be made at reception rather than within the hall.

“This would have meant the classes would be included in membership packages offered by the leisure centre and, therefore, could have increased usage of the classes.

“Regretfully, the circuit group have decided to take their business to a different venue. The council would like to thank the group for their custom over the years and wish the group every success in the future.”