MAJOR plans for a £3million extension of Evesham Leisure Centre have been revealed in a bid to tackle the Abbey Road venue reaching ‘peak capacity’.
Proposals for the multi-million pound ‘Health and Well-being’ extension were revealed at Wychavon District Council’s Executive Board meeting on Wednesday (April 12).
A two-storey extension would be added to the side of the Abbey Road leisure centre, which first opened in 2009, to expand the gym area by using the current studio space. The studio space would then be replaced in the first floor of the extension.
A further studio and activity space is also proposed for the ground floor of the new building, with meeting rooms, storage spaces, a small kitchen and an additional accessible toilet included.
Well-being providers will also be invited to rent space in the new ‘Health and Well-being’ wing to help them expand their activities and services.
And due to the increased parking demand the new offering would generate, the current car park will also be expanded.
Wychavon District Council will stump up the cash for the project with operators Wychavon Leisure then paying back £100,000 a year as part of a profit share agreement.
Bosses at Wychavon Leisure hope the extension will allow them to increase their fitness memberships by more than 500 members a year.
And with the increases studio spaces, centre bosses also hope to hold more classes to reduce the current peak time pressures.
Speaking at the meeting Coun Lyn Duffy, Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for Resources, said: “Another good news story for Evesham and therefore I’m happy to move the recommendations for us to invest £3million in an extension for health and wellbeing.
“This will increase capacity and generate us an annual income of around £100,000 per year.
“It’s good news that Evesham is using its leisure centre so well and will generate us a return.”
Coun Emma Stokes, councillor for Bengeworth and portfolio holder for Environment and Street Scene, said: “I’m very pleased to see the people of Evesham and the surrounding areas are supporting the leisure centre as much as they are.”
Councillors voted to recommend to full council that the £3million is made available for the extension.
If full council approve the funding, it’s hoped planning approval for the project will be gained in December this year, with the new extension to open in January 2019.
