Weymouth College to give up lease for Redlands Community Sports Hub
So what happens next?
Last updated 17th Jun 2021
After leasing Redlands Community Sports Hub for just over 13 years, Weymouth College are seeking new tenants to take it over.
The building and facilities are owned by Dorset Council but the College has been operating Redlands under a lease arrangement with them since 2008.
The College has the lease until 2036 which they say is 'financially unviable' to pursue for that length of time.
If the College can't find someone to take over their plan is to support Dorset Council in the search for a new tenant over the next three years.
Plans are now underway to engage with interested parties including local clubs and community groups to confirm a new tenant.
Having sent letters out to 12 different leisure companies last week, there is already interest from three of them.
Equally, instructors and members of the Hub can form a Community Interest Company (CIC) to run it themselves.
The College has overseen a number of developments at Redlands during its tenancy, including investment with the 3G football pitch, the adiZone fitness area, internal refurbishment of halls, changing rooms and the bar / function area.
The College, in partnership with Dorset Council are also in the process of supporting Weymouth Hockey Club with grant bids to resurface and upgrade the Hockey pitch, also based at Redlands.
As Redlands starts to see the return of all outdoor and indoor bookings after the recent lockdowns and social distancing measures, Redlands Centre Manager Lewis Stripp is now looking forward to a busy summer and autumn schedule.
Mr Stripp told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
"We have already welcomed back most outdoor bookings and we have a full schedule of indoor courses with our coaches and instructors - there is a clear public appetite and confidence for getting active after more than a year of lockdown!"
Nigel Evans, Chief Executive at Weymouth College also told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset :
"The College has been proud to serve the local sporting community for over 13 years and it is now time to hand the 'baton' onto new tenants'. Mr Evans added, ' clearly, community leisure facilities are not part of the College's core business and we hope, as we all come out of the pandemic, the leisure sector will thrive, including Redlands, under new stewardship."
Weymouth College will be inviting interested organisations and groups to tender their services over the coming months with a decision expected before the end of this year.