New roof secures long term future of Torbay leisure centre (From This is The West Country)

New roof secures long term future of Torbay leisure centre

9:41am Friday 26th October 2012 in Devon

Renovation work, including new roofs for both the swimming pool and leisure facilities at Torbay Leisure Centre, Paignton has got underway.

The work, estimated at approximately £544k, is the result of a unique arrangement between owners Torbay Council and Parkwood Leisure who run the centre.

Torbay Council has agreed to release the next six and a half years of maintenance funds from its capital fund, normally paid to Parkwood Leisure on a yearly basis, in one lump sum to allow the major works to take place. Parkwood Leisure has agreed to cover any future maintenance costs themselves until their lease runs out in 2019.

In addition to this Parkwood Leisure is also committing £230k of new fitness equipment for the centre. Mayor of Torbay Gordon Oliver, said: "We fully recognise the important role that Torbay Leisure Centre plays in the local community and I am delighted that we have been able to find a solution to the problems being encountered with the roofs.

"This is a win, win situation for us. We are providing funds that would have been paid to Parkwood Leisure over the next six and a half years, the roof is being replaced and Parkwood Leisure will cover any future maintenance costs until their lease expires.

"The leaking roofs over the leisure facilities and swimming pool have had a huge impact on Parkwood Leisure and their ability to manage the facility efficiently over recent months so this announcement has come as a welcome relief to them."

The work is estimated to take approximately three months. It has been planned to minimise any closure of the swimming pool or main sports hall and will also include the installation of a new air handling unit for the swimming pool.