£1.2m revamp for cash-strapped council's leisure centre

Woking Borough Council (WBC) has announced the town's leisure centre is to get a £1.2m revamp.

It said that refurbishment of Woking Leisure Centre, in Surrey, would begin soon and was set to include an upgraded gym, as well as new group cycling and exercise studios.

Last September saw the agreement of a new management contract to run the centre - along with Pool in the Park, Woking Sportsbox and Eastwood Leisure Centre - which had all been threatened with closure due to WBC's bankruptcy.

Owing £2.16bn as of April last year, the council said its deal with Everyone Active (Sports and Leisure Management) to operate all four venues would last 10 years, with two potential five-year extensions.

Previous Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) findings had placed WBC's leisure centre budget at £1.06m, an amount made up of approximately £2.51m in running costs and £1.45m in fees.

The LDRS said that, according to WBC, the new contract is set to bring an estimated net saving of about £1.13m and would not offer any borrowing or investment options.

The authority also said maintenance of the venue would fall on the new management company.

Speaking at the time the deal was agreed, a WBC spokesperson said the new partnership would "ensure leisure services are inclusive, high-quality and financially sustainable, with a strong focus on community engagement and innovation".

It would also see Everyone Active "take responsibility for delivering a wide-ranging programme of physical activity and wellbeing services for residents".

In addition, WBC's "outgoing provider" Freedom Leisure was thanked for its "service and dedication to our community over the past 14 years".

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, and on X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.