New Farnborough Leisure Centre proposals take a step forward
It would mean the current facility closing once coronavirus restrictions are lifted
Rushmoor Borough Council's cabinet is next week considering proposals for a new Farnborough Leisure Centre - as a petition circulates over concerns the current facility could shut once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
At its meeting on Tuesday (23 February), the Cabinet will be told that the council had planned to bring forward the redevelopment as part of a wider package of changes - including part of the civic regeneration of the town - which would have also seen a new long-term contract to run its leisure facilities when the current contract ends on 31 March.
The council said, however, that with uncertainty over how long the leisure industry will take to recover from the pandemic, "there is the opportunity to move ahead with the new leisure centre plans, while it does so."
It would mean the existing facility would have to remain closed when restrictions are lifted to allow the site to be cleared and the redevelopment to start.
The plans for the replacement of the current 40 year old centre include a 25-metre, eight lane swimming pool, a training pool with moveable floor, fitness suite, an eight-court sports hall, studios, squash courts, a ten-pin bowling alley, café, soft play and sauna/steam rooms.
The council said it would try to help clubs and users find alternative local facilities to use during the rebuild - and would also explore options to support initiatives to help encourage exercise and fitness activities in local communities and neighbourhoods.
On the issue of staffing, it said it "would seek to work closely with its current contractor, Places Leisure, to support its staff to find alternative employment, where necessary."
A petition has since been started asking for support to keep the current leisure centre open after restrictions are lifted for the community to use while the redevelopment takes place.
It also mentions the impact on staff's jobs at the current leisure centre, if the existing facility does not reopen.
Councillor Maurice Sheehan, Rushmoor Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Operational Services, said: "These are exceptional times that we find ourselves in, but this does give us a unique opportunity to bring forward the new Farnborough Leisure Centre, which I know many people are looking forward to.
"People being able to lead healthy and active lives is important to us. So we will need to consider closely what the implications of keeping Farnborough Leisure Centre closed while
we build the new one would be on our residents and local sports clubs, and do all we can to make sure they have access to alternative local facilities.
"Once it’s built, the new centre will offer some fantastic facilities that will serve us well for many years to come."