Decision details

To seek approval of the preferred location, the development brief and request project funding to build a new swimming pool and leisure facility in the Western Wards.

The provision of a public swimming facility in the Western Wards has been identified as a high corporate priority for a number of years.

In 2009 the Council commissioned a study to examine the demand and need for a public swimming pool in the Western Wards. This study was refreshed and updated in 2013. The study confirmed the need for a 6 lane, 25 metre pool with a learner pool and associated dry side facilities including a 100 station gym.

In 2013, the Council secured the early transfer of land at Coldeast from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for the provision of a swimming pool as part of the community benefit package arising from the granting of planning permission for the phase 2 development at Coldeast.

This report seeks approval of the development brief and requests project funding to enable work to commence on the design, procurement and construction of a new leisure facility on the Coldeast site. 

That the Executive:

a)    agrees that the new swimming pool and leisure facility be constructed at Coldeast on the land transferred to the Council from the Homes and Communities Agency;

b)    agrees the outline project specification for the swimming pool and leisure facility as detailed in Appendix B;

c)    approves a provisional budget of £7 million for the provision of the new swimming pool, to be funded from the Council’s capital reserves and prudential borrowing;

d)    requests officers to bring forward a report exploring the options for replenishing the Council’s capital reserves through the sale of existing assets within the Western Wards; and

e)    notes that additional financial resources will need to be identified and allocated at a future date for the access road, the setting out of the cemetery, allotments and construction of a new community building.