Appeal for rethink on leisure centre (From The Oxford Times)

Appeal for rethink on leisure centre

5:10pm Wednesday 11th January 2012 in Didcot By Andrew Ffrench

Town councillor Tony Harbour says funding for the Willowbrook Leisure Centre in Didcot should be set up so that South Oxford District Council can take over the centre

A DIDCOT leisure centre needs fresh investment as it approaches its 10th birthday, according to a town councillor.

Willowbrook Leisure Centre is the only one in South Oxfordshire owned by a town council.

But the contract for running the centre on the Ladygrove estate ends later this year and residents are being consulted on how it should be run and what activities are provided.

The consultation, being organised by the town council, finishes at the end of this month and Ladygrove town councillor Tony Harbour called for a review of how the leisure centre in Bowmont Water is run and funded.

The town council, which built the centre with the help of the district council 10 years ago, pays an annual subsidy of about £45,000 to leisure contractor SOLL Leisure to run the facility on its behalf.

Mr Harbour said: “I think it’s time for a fresh look at the way the leisure centre is funded.

“I think £45,000 is a large burden on council tax payers in Didcot and there’s a strong argument that running leisure centres should be a district council responsibility.

“Now that the current contract with SOLL Leisure is coming up for re-tendering, there could be room for South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) to make a contribution to the running costs because it has very healthy reserves.”

Mr Harbour added: “SODC might want the building to be handed over in return, and then that would take the burden off the town council.

“It is a very well used leisure centre and the manager Stuart Munday has been very positive about putting on classes and activities that local people want.”

Town council leader Margaret Davies expected its ownership to continue. She added: “Now is a good time for people to have their say about how the centre is run, what activities are put on there and how it is financed.

“We are re-tendering for the contract and when the new contract starts additional gym space will be handed over to the town council.

“That’s an additional asset and it could eventually reduce costs. I would be delighted if we received additional revenue from the district council but that has not been the case in the past 10 years.”

In 2008, SODC confirmed it was in tentative talks with town councillors about taking over the £2.5m facility but the move did not take place.

SODC executive member for leisure Bill Service said: “The district council already provides Didcot Leisure Centre and Didcot Wave swimming pool and is considering building a £15m new leisure centre north of Ladygrove. It would need to look long and hard at taking over Willowbrook.”

SODC spokesman Martin Crabtree said: “As yet, we have not had any approach from the town council about the future management of the facility.”

To take part in the consultation, email council@didcot.gov.uk or download a consultation form from didcot.gov.uk