Godalming Leisure Centre to receive Facelift (South West Surrey Liberal Democrats)

South West Surrey Liberal Democrats <info@swsurreylibdems.org.uk>

Godalming Leisure Centre to receive Facelift

November 12, 2005 1:40 PM

Godalming Leisure Centre looks set to receive a facelift as Lib Dem Executive Councillors agreed to a £800,000 refurbishment programme.

The refurbishment programme will take place over two years and will provide customers with new improved changing rooms and cubicles, a better laid out reception area and internal repairs and decoration. A programme of structural works will also be carried out and will include the replacement of the pool hall roof, partial pool tank tiling and surrounds plus other general roof and external works. To minimise disruption and inconvenience to users of the Centre it is planned that a phased approach to the work will be taken.

Godalming Leisure Centre is owned and managed by the John Stanley Jeffries Trust. The financial position of the Centre has deteriorated which has led to the Trust seeking an increasing level of financial support from Waverley Borough Council. Committed to enhancing the quality of life of its residents by providing and improving leisure facilities for all, Waverley has helped finance the Centre to ensure provision of a leisure service for local people.

Councillor Gillian Ferguson, Lib Dem Leader of Waverley Borough Council, says: "Godalming Leisure Centre plays a vital role in community life. The Centre provides accessible leisure facilities and activities for the people of Farncombe and Godalming at affordable prices. We have promised the people of Godalming a new leisure centre and whilst this is still our intention, it is not something that can happen quickly. We want to provide Godalming with the best possible leisure facilities both now and in the future, which is why we have opted for this interim measure of refurbishment and are committed to supporting the Trust with the revenue support identified for this essential service."

Gillian added: "As well as providing a better leisure facility for the people of Godalming, investing money in a refurbishment programme makes good financial sense. Whilst Waverley has provided financial support to Godalming Leisure Centre in the past, continuing to hand out grants is not a prudent use of taxpayers' money. However, funding a refurbishment programme will increase the revenue generated by the Centre which will ease the Centre's financial dependancy on the Council's already stretched resources."