Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Environment, Highways and Community Services

The Cabinet Member with the Health and Housing Portfolio introduced a report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Environment, Highways and Community Services to provide an update on the ongoing asset management programme for the Dolphin Centre and the investment opportunities to further enhance the facility.

The report explained that the Dolphin Centre is the Council’s only indoor leisure facility and is key asset in contributing to the vision in the Council Plan and ambition for our residents to live well and stay healthy. It was explained that the Dolphin Centre is now over 43 years old and encompasses the much older central hall listed building, as with any building there is a need to undertake periodic investment to keep buildings operating and compliant with statutory requirements. The report included an update on the asset management programme for the centre and to seek approval with progression on the essential repairs programme.

The report detailed how the recent repairs to the pool had seen an increase in swimming and investment and DC Bowl has strengthened the provisions of the centre. The two new options for investment in the dolphin centre, the provision of an indoor golf and interactive darts and shuffleboard area and the new spinning studio and fitness studio refurbishment.

RESOLVED  - It is recommended that Cabinet:-

a)      Approve the proposed asset management programme outlined in the report and recommend to Council approval and release of £6.742M to continue the programme of repairs and maintenance.

b)      Note that if Council approve the programme there will be a revenue pressure of £0.041M in 25/26 and £0.133M in 26/27 associated with closure of various services for various periods whilst work is undertaken.

c)      Approve the indoor golf, interactive darts and shuffleboard project as detailed in this report and recommend to Council approval and release of £1.456M for the project on the basis this will generate a surplus of funding from income.

d)      Approve the new spinning studio and fitness studio refurbishment project and recommend to Council approval and release of £0.752M on the basis this will generate a surplus of funding from income.

REASON - The recommendations are supported by the following reasons: -

a)      To enable the asset management programme of essential works on the Dolphin Centre to continue.

b)      To enable the indoor golf, interactive darts and shuffleboard project and the new spinning studio and fitness studio refurbishment project to progress, which will increase the facilities at the Dolphin centre for residents of the Borough, contribute to the vision and ambition of the Council Plan and reduce the overall subsidy to the Dolphin Centre from the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP).