Minutes:
(Councillor T D Sanderson, Executive Councillor for Healthy and Active Communities was in attendance for this item.)
The Panel considered a report by the One Leisure General Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on detailed proposals to remodel One Leisure St Ives. The Panel was reminded that the proposals had originated from a requirement to reduce net operating costs for the One Leisure group as a major part of the savings identified for the Council for the years 2011 onwards, and to increase admission and participation levels in order to meet both Government and Council health agenda targets. Members were informed that there had been little investment in the Leisure Centre in the 37 years since its construction and the proposals would allow the Centre to capitalise on the latent existing demand in the area and on demand created by housing growth. If agreed, the development scheme had the potential to deliver a net revenue surplus of over £540k per annum in three years and an increase in admissions in excess of 100,000 per annum.
Members were acquainted with four options for the future of the Centre and the level of investment they would entail. An amended table relating to paragraph 13.3 of the report was tabled. The investment figures had been compiled on the basis of experience of similar Leisure Centre redevelopment projects in St Neots and Huntingdon and liaison with designers but could not be confirmed until tenders were returned. Subject to a number of factors, payback was estimated in between 10 and 12 years. Members were advised that although disruption to the Centre would be unavoidable during the estimated 12 month build time, key areas would remain open throughout and some areas could be opened sequentially.
In the course of their discussions reference was made to the proposed closure of the rifle range. The General Manager One Leisure, Mr S Bell, stressed that his brief had been to reduce the Leisure Centres’ operating loss and the rifle range had not been incorporated into the remodelling proposals because it produced a minimal amount of income and the alternative use to which the area could be put was likely to produce a significant return.
The Panel also learned that it would be highly unlikely that external funding for the rifle range would be available. Following a question from a Member on the availability of alternative space at the Centre for the Club, Mr Bell suggested that there was a possibility that space might be found above the proposed new extension, however, this would require further design work and the cost was not known. With respect to the original loan for the provision of the facility, Members were advised that the Sports Council had confirmed that the grant had been given in perpetuity and there was no longer an obligation on the Council to continue to provide the facility. Mr Smith had been advised of this. With regard to the question of accessibility, Mr Bell was of the opinion that the proposed alternative facility would be accessible to a larger number of disabled people. Having discussed the Council’s contrasting priorities in terms of increasing its income by competing in the commercial leisure sector compared with providing a diverse range of services to residents, it was
RESOLVED
that the Cabinet be recommended to
a. approve Option B to redevelop One Leisure St Ives; and
b. investigate incorporating a reduced rifle range within the redevelopment.