George Campbell Leisure Centre is being given a massive make over but the ruling Conservative group on Fenland Council has already dismissed the most expensive option.
Four options will be considered by the cabinet next week against a backdrop of a private meeting of councillors which insisted the council can only agree lower value improvements.
Councillor Michelle Tanfield, portfolio holder for leisure and children and young people, said: “Whatever option we choose we need to make sure we are getting best value for our money.
“If we had billions it would be fantastic but we don’t so we need to put the four ideas to everybody so that everyone has a chance to have their say on what we do at the George Campbell.”
Three ideas retained a modernised pool but a fourth option involves building a new leisure centre next to the library but with no swimming pool.
The four options range in price from nearly £500,000 to £1.65million.
Phil Hughes, head of leisure, will tell cabinet “there has been no significant investment” in the George Campbell for a number of years; it also lacks the modern gym and fitness class studios of the other Fenland leisure centres.
He says: “In addition the swimming changing areas are outdated and in a poor state of repair.”
He told the Cambs Times that the pool is expensive to run and operates below capacity.
“The staff does a good job working with the facilities we have,” he said.
“We’ve upgraded over time but facilities do not match those in the other towns.”
His report says that if councillors choose to keep the swimming pool then the changing rooms will be given a facelift.
One option is to refurbish them while two other options are to create village style changing rooms like those at the Hudson in Wisbech.
In all three options which keep swimming, the pool will be given a new roof and pool liner replacement, new boilers and new tiles in the pool and on the poolside.
In the three options that involve upgrading the current building, the gym stations will be increased from 33 to 50 by building an extension at the front of the gym area with a higher roof and large glass panels.
This was granted planning permission last week along with an extension at the back of the pool within a courtyard area.
The report says: “There has been no significant investment since the pool was covered in 1984. This has led to a facility that requires improvements to modernise the offer, improve maintenance levels and reduce energy costs.”
Fenland has spent £3.8million at the Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey, The Hudson and Chatteris Leisure Centre which have led to the tills ringing with extra customers.
The pay back has been a rise in direct debit income of £105,120 a year at the Hudson and £50,000 a year at the Manor.
At the George Campbell, direct debit income is £69,600 lower a year than the Manor and £135,120 a year lower than the Hudson.
Options:
Option One - cost £489,457
A 50 station gym which will be extended out from the current gym onto the grass area with a higher roof and natural light
Purpose built studio for fitness classes
Make-over changing rooms with new suspended ceiling, new lights, ventilations, new heating, replacing damaged lockers, new showers, decoration
Option One A - cost £549,001 (tender cost of £765,691 minus a grant of £216,690 from Sport England)
A 50 station gym which will be extended out onto the grass area with a higher roof and natural light
Purpose built studio for fitness classes
Replace the swimming pool changing rooms with a completely new village style changing facility
Refurbishment works
Option Two - cost £1.65m
A 50 station gym which will be extended out onto the grass area with a higher roof and natural light
Purpose built studio for fitness classes
Keep the current pool hall and replace the rest of the facility with a new building
Replace changing rooms with a village style facility along with group changing rooms for school or gala use
Separate new gym and fitness class changing rooms
Improved entrance hall and new modern reception
Potential area for soft play and catering
Option Three - cost £1.2m
Close the pool and build a new leisure centre next to the library - similar to that at Chatteris
50 station gym
Purpose built studio for fitness classes
Improved entrance hall allowing for soft play and catering
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here