Decision details

To seek approval for invest to save funding to make significant improvements at Bracknell Leisure Centre.

To recommend that Council agree to release invest to save capital funding and appropriate S106 receipts in order to make significant improvements at Bracknell Leisure Centre.

RECOMMENDED:

1          That Council agree to release invest to save capital funding of £2,488,082 in order to make significant improvements at BLC;

2          That Council agree to release section 106 funding of £291,000 allocated to the provision of built sports and recreation to contribute to improvements at BLC as detailed in paragraph 5.8 - 5.11; and

3          That Council agrees changes to the Platinum membership, which currently includes the cost of court bookings at BLC, be altered to include access to gym, swimming, exercise classes and the sauna only.

The new Leisure management contract awarded to Everyone Active in November 2017, which commenced in March 2018, has removed the Councils subsidy through the provision of a management fee. The aspiration of significant investment into BLC has been a central theme of the procurement since conception of the project. This proposal would enhance the provision of services to customers internally whilst providing a refreshed frontage to the building and other external improvements. Critically, it will also provide a significantly enhanced annual management fee which exceeds the council’s cost of borrowing.

The council could require Everyone Active to fund the improvements proposed in their bid to manage the facilities and this would bring some upgrades to existing facilities and changing rooms and these proposals exceed £1m. However, this would not have the customer benefit or impact of the proposals detailed in this report nor would it result in the increase in management fee, which is in excess of the council’s invest to save criteria. BLC requires continual investment due to the age of the building and the nature of its use. The Council has invested in the centre over the years but this will be the first major change seen since the 1990’s.

None.