Decision details

The Executive will be asked to consider proposals on how the council will fund the costs associated with building the new facility and the future operational arrangements for Wood Lane Sports Centre

Further to Minute 154 (7 May 2008), received a report from the Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services on the development of the new leisure centre at Becontree Heath and proposals in respect of the appointment of contractors to progress various aspects of the project. 

Noted that site enabling works to support the development of the new centre are well underway, as is consultation with staff, service users and other local residents, and planning, provisional building control and decontamination approvals have been received.  With regard to the existing leisure facilities in the immediate area, it was noted that while the Dagenham Swimming Pool site will be cleared soon after the opening of the new Centre in order to provide additional parking it is proposed that further consideration is given to the future of Wood Lane Leisure Centre.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council to achieve its Community Priorities of “Healthy” and “Clean”, to:

(i)  the placing of an order with JB Leadbitter & Co. Limited to construct a leisure centre on the terms detailed in the report;

(ii)  A total budget for preparing the site and building and equipping the leisure centre of up to £23,115,000, to be funded by prudential borrowing;

(iii)  in principle, the decommissioning and demolition of the Wood Lane Sports Centre but that a final decision on the future of the Centre will be the subject of a further report to the Executive once the opportunities and risks associated with the potential alternative use options and the planning implications have been fully evaluated;

(iv)  continue the appointment of the existing Design Team and the appointment of the Project Manager through to the completion of this project as set out in the report; and

(v)  the design and development parameters for the Leisure Centre as detailed in section 2.13 of the report.