North Somerset sports centre building saved under new plans
The Churchill Centre building will be renovated and handed over to a local Multi Academy Trust, if plans are given the green light
A sports centre near Weston Super Mare has been saved - more than three years after it closed its doors because of the pandemic.
The Churchill Centre in Sandford is set to go under a transformation into a multi purpose hall if North Somerset Council get approval.
Under the plans, the building would be handed to a local multi academy trust - a move said to be 'absolutely the best outcome' for the community - and would see the local council contribute around £600,000 towards the funding of essential repairs.
Back in January, we reported the centre was to permanently close, with North Somerset Council saying they had 'no choice' but to mothball the site, because they couldn't afford to keep it open.
Today, however, North Somerset Council and the Lighthouse Schools Partnership Multi-Academy Trust (LSP) have reached an agreement, subject to executive member approval, to secure the future of the building formerly used as Churchill Sports Centre.
The sports pitches and sports hall, which are operated by Churchill Academy and Sixth Form, will remain available for community use as they have been throughout.
The LSP will contribute the remaining funds required to get the building back to a good condition over the next few years, which is estimated to be around £500k on top of the council’s investment.
Louise Malik, Chief Financial and Operating Officer for the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, is delighted that this agreement has been reached: “the building will be a fantastic asset for the Churchill community; offering indoor studio facilities, in addition to those already available outside on the site, will benefit both the pupils at Churchill Academy and Sixth Form and those in the local area”.
Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, said: “I believe that this absolutely is the best outcome we could achieve given the circumstances. Contributing financially to save the building, rather than using those funds to demolish it, is the right thing to do.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, Churchill Sports Centre Working Group, ward members and council officers. Many people have worked extremely hard to exhaust all possible options and secure a solution for the building which will continue to benefit the local community.”
Councillor Patrick Keating, North Somerset Council ward member for Blagdon and Churchill, said: “I'd particularly like to recognise the hard work of residents' groups who campaigned on behalf of the local community. I’m delighted that by working with the Lighthouse Schools Partnership we’ve together secured a positive outcome which will provide a facility to benefit children and young people, as well as the local community.”
The executive member decision notice can be found on the council’s website.
A list of leisure centres in North Somerset, ways to get involved in sports and physical activities, and the council’s Sport and Leisure Facilities Strategy 2020-2036 can be found here.