Caldicot Leisure Centre Set for £601k Revamp Approval

A REVAMP of a “dated” leisure centre costing more than half a million pounds will have to be approved by councillors. 
The cash injection has been proposed for Caldicot Leisure Centre to fund top of the range new gym equipment for a revamped fitness suite and internal alterations to the building.   
A report for Monmouthshire County Council’s June meeting confirmed the council’s community and corporate plan, its main strategy document, has highlighted the need for investment at Caldicot and stated: “this facility has received comparatively less investment compared to the other fitness offer across Monmouthshire.” 
It also describes the existing gym and first floor fitness areas as “dated and no longer reflect modern customer expectations” which it says limits its ability to compete with private gyms and those owned by other local authorities. 
The proposal includes the creation of a modern 40-station fitness suite, refurbing the smaller gym area, refurbishment of studios, circulation spaces and toilets, and improvements to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. 
The plan was backed by a council committee when it was presented to them, in May.  
Scrutiny committee chair, and Caldicot Cross Labour councillor, Jackie Strong said: “I think we all agree Caldicot deserves and needs refurbishment, it is dingy and in desperate need.”   
The full council will have to approve the spending when it meets on Thursday, June 25. 
Councillors will be asked to approve the refurbishment and the £601,429 funding package which is made up of £300,000 from the council’s capital budget for one off spending and the balance from borrowing. 
That would be repaid over a 10-year period, with estimated annual repayment costs of £40,000. Officers have assumed an additional 100 memberships across all its leisure centres would generate approximately £41,400 of income per annum.  
A review of previous membership trends following similar investments indicates the level of growth may be achievable within 12 months of project completion, but councillors are reminded it remains a planning assumption rather than a guaranteed outcome. 
The recommendation for the council also includes the decision is subject to a further design stage meaning the refurbishment is subject to final affordability and cost certainty.  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​