Agenda item

To set out the position concerning the emerging District-wide Leisure Strategy, the refurbishment of Clacton Leisure Centre , the sale of land for use by Clacton County High School at the open space adjacent to the Clacton Leisure Centre and the refurbishment of the Skate Park also adjacent to the Centre.

The Committee was updated on a number of items on the Sport and Leisure work programme.  The Assistant Director for Economic Growth and Leisure # provided this background report.

UPDATES ON THE WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE COMMITTEE

a)    The emerging district-wide Leisure Strategy as previously reported to it – progress with the development of the Strategy

Members were informed that the Sports Facilities Strategy was due to be presented for consideration by Cabinet earlier in the year.  One of the key focusses of that plan was a wholesale review of pricing and recommendations for a change in direction, based on an external review of the local fitness market and an evaluation of the number of the volume and value of pre-paid members.  Due to the pandemic, that strategy had been postponed and was likely to be brought forward for consideration early in 2021. 

Membership numbers had fluctuated significantly due to the forced closure and phased approach to re-opening.  In that state of flux, membership subscriptions had been halved to recognise the reduction in services available to those who pre pay, wither annually or through bank transfer.  Further to that, the wider market has been drastically effected by the pandemic and it would not be an appropriate time to make radical decisions, without a clear understanding of when stability will resume.

b)    The refurbishment of the Clacton Leisure Centre – to review arrangements for the refurbishment since they were last presented to the Committee.

The Committee heard that in July 2019, Cabinet committed a budget for the refurbishment of the swimming pool changing rooms and health suite areas at Clacton Leisure Centre.

A tender process for those works was postponed earlier in the year due to the forced closure of the Sports Facilities.  A full specification had been prepared by a specialist organisation acting on behalf of the Council and was then in a position to be advertised to prospective contractors.  This Architectural Design and Contract Administration company would also act on behalf of the Council during the evaluation of tenders and throughout the construction phase.

Followed by the receipt and evaluation of the subsequent submissions, it was anticipated that the work would be undertaken at the end of the year, which was historically the quietest period.

c)    The sale of land to Clacton County High School, community access to the pitches on that land, management of that community access and the conditional works on the existing 3G pitches at the Leisure Centre – progress/timescales.

The Committee was informed of the transfer of land to Clacton County High School (CCHS) had yet to be concluded and final agreements were not at that time, in place.

In anticipation of conclusion however, agreement had been reached with the school and Essex County Council (ECC) on arrangements for community use.

Grass Pitch

The grass pitch which was marked out on the ‘new’ school land, would remain available for community use outside of school hours.  That would be booked through the same process as all other grass sports pitches under the management of the Council.

Artificial Grass Pitch

Officers had been working with the Essex Football Association and the Football Foundation (FF) to develop a 3G strategy for the District.  Essentially, a 3G pitch was artificial grass suitable for football.  A refurbishment of the current sand filled pitch into a 3G was part of the agreement with ECC/CCHS

Working with the FF opened the door to the potential of external funding and a planning application for the refurbishment of the Clacton Leisure Centre pitch had been submitted.  That was an essential requirement prior to a funding application being submitted. 

d)    The refurbishment of the Skate Park at the Leisure Centre – plans and timescales.

Members heard about how Clacton Skate Park opened in 2004 and had historically fallen under the management of the Clacton Leisure Centre team. 

The parkts a traditional wooden design and comprised of a number of small independent ramps, with a large main ramp as a key focal point. The main ramp failed in summer 2019 and it was originally envisaged that that could be rectified by replacing parts and undertaking a service.  Once the ramp was lifted however, the damage was more significant than envisaged and the ramp required replacing, together with additional groundworks required underneath.  The park had remained closed since and a number of options had been considered on how to proceed.

The park was the only one in the Clacton area and was originally designed for both skate boards and BMX users.  It was extremely well used and valued by young people and there was indicative evidence that it had significantly reduced anti-social skate board activity in the town centre and residential areas. 

The following options are currently being considered and Cabinet will be asked to consider the way forward through the emerging ‘Back to Business’ report.

Repair the Main Ramp & ancillary works

This is the most economical and short term option, which would allow the park to re-open in a fairly short space of time.  It would include the required groundworks.

There are also outstanding works required to the wider park, following an inspection by a play inspection company. 

A budget cost for this work would be in the region of £60k.

Upgrade the Main Ramp to a concrete concept design

Two alternative proposals were requested last year, which would involve installing a new main ramp designed from concrete.  This is a modern approach to skate park design, which is lower maintenance and less subject to vandalism.

A budget cost for this work would be in the region of £120-£160k.

Wider upgrade of the Skate Park

This would involve a wider refurbishment of the park to a concrete design, on top of the main ramp.  The exact cost would be subject to the scope identified, as the park has a large footprint. 

A budget cost for this work would be in the region of £220k.

After much deliberation it was RECCOMMENDED that:

1.       the committee notes the intentions of a sports and leisure strategy to be considered in early 2021. While the Committee would want a strategy as early as possible it believes that the additional time will ensure that A strategy can address the issues facing the district, including encouraging people to regress from being fairly active, to active and from inactive to fairly active and with provisions for those with disabilities. The Committee would welcome the early sight of the immerging strategy and the associated action plans to support delivery of that strategy. The strategy itself, should rightly address the position beyond COVID.

2.    the intentions for the redevelopment of Clacton Leisure Centre has been shelved for the end of this calendar year and reminds the cabinet that this committee requested that the consultation with users should be undertaken and detailed examination of the costs of the works be undertaken to secure value for money and a positive contribution of the councils aims of reducing its carbon foot print.

3.    That proposals around Back 2 Business of Clacton’s Skate Park to be refurbished, to be pursued and that the associated lessons from the site in Dovercourt delivered to the Harwich Town Council, be harnessed including funding for it.

4.    the previous issue, of the vital importance of consistent and common branding identified by this committee on the 13^th of august in respect of tourism, should also be applied to leisure services to help promote the area and its facilities  to residents and visitors.

5.    all tenders for improvements to the leisure facilities contain a specific recommendation in respect of energy efficiency costs and savings and the long term impact of the carbon foot print of Tendring District Council.

6.    the strategy remembers to focus on the district as a whole.