• New strategy aims to create state-of-the-art fitness facilities by 2016.
• Old and out-dated facilities likely to be phased out.
• Option for new management trusts promises better value for money.

Research showed that one third of residents had used local private leisure centres in the previous twelve months. The new Rushcliffe strategy aims to ensure a longer-term viability for local authority facilities by offering users best value for money backed by equipment and resources as good as those offered by the private sector.

The Council’s vision for leisure services in the future sets out a framework which will let us develop towards our aim “to enable and encourage healthy, accessible and sustainable” leisure for all Rushcliffe residents.

This vision is centred upon creating three well-invested main facilities, one of which will be a totally new “flagship” centre serving the central part of the borough. The other two main facilities will also benefit from major investment. One will serve the western part of the borough from East Leake and the other will serve the eastern area from a site still to be confirmed.

The new strategic approach, to be considered by Cabinet on 14 February, also coincides with a number of factors affecting the continuing viability of the Council’s leisure provision in the future. This includes a phased withdrawal from existing “Joint Use Agreements” with Nottinghamshire County Council at a number of sites where significantly increased costs would arise - mostly involving significant investment in the fabric, maintenance and repair of buildings which are over 30 years old.

Rushcliffe Borough Council has stressed that the new approach will, however, allow future partnership working where appropriate. It also plans to work with schools to ensure that access is available for the public to grass (and artificial) sports pitches as well as sports halls in areas where there is no other significant leisure provision.

The Council has also emphasised that detailed timescales and phasing for this strategy will be determined as funding and partnership opportunities arise.

Whilst much of the new strategy is directed towards ensuring residents benefit from modern, well-invested leisure facilities, the Council has confirmed its ongoing commitment to other community and sports resources in the borough:

• It will continue to provide community halls at Gamston, West Park and West Bridgford.
• It will continue to maintain the existing level of provision of parks, open spaces and playing pitches.
• It will work in partnership to deliver improved facilities at Gresham playing fields as part of an overall scheme to build two new schools in the area.
• It will continue to improve, update and provide new play facilities, especially for older children in West Bridgford.

The strategy is also re-examining the way in which leisure facilities are managed in order to ensure residents get the best service and value for money. The key options are:

• The management of facilities by a private sector “hybrid” trust or
• The management of services in partnership with an existing trust organisation

The Council intends to continue to manage “community facilities” along with parks, open spaces and playing pitches through its own “in-house” resources.

Further information:

Below you can download a copy of the strategy in full, and find a page which answers some common questions about the strategy.

Media enquiries: 

• Brian Knowles - Leisure Facilities Manager.
  Telephone: 0115 914 8454.
• Nicky Mee - Public Relations Officer.
  Telephone: 0115 914 8555.

7 February 2006