Leisure site move a cause for concern

The head of PE at Toot Hill School, Bingham, says building a new leisure centre away from the school could have an impact on the health of pupils.

Mr Malcolm Trimmingham told the town council’s recreation and cemetery committee that the proposed £9m centre should be built at the existing site on The Banks.

A multi-million pound leisure centre has been proposed by Rushcliffe Borough Council as part of its strategy to improve leisure facilities by 2016.

A site has yet to be found. However, one suggested location is to the north of the town where 1,000 homes are earmarked.

Mr Trimmingham said there was a range of indoor and outdoor facilities currently next to the school.

“If the centre is moved that would be taken away and would have a lasting effect on the whole community’s health,” he said.

Representatives from Bingham’s sports clubs last met in August where they raised fears that the £9m proposed budget would not stretch far enough to create a facility that would house all their sports.

The council’s strategy states the current centre provides inadequate disabled access, is of a design and age that causes concern, and is in need of significant investment if it is to continue for the long term.

Mr John Stockwood, chairman of the committee, said the current leisure centre was the most expensive to run in Rushcliffe.

It has ageing facilities that are costly to maintain and has recently suffered from flooding.

He said if the leisure centre was built elsewhere then pupils at Toot Hill could still use the school’s outdoor facilities.

As an outline the new facilities should include a swimming pool, health and fitness facilities and a sports hall, but no outdoor facilities were in the plans.

At present, leisure facilities include four netball courts with the potential for eight if some are repaired, squash courts, five badminton courts, athletics track, Astro-turf pitches, two large sports halls, a 25-metre swimming pool and a gym.

Mr Simon Barnicott, a coach at Bingham Leisure Centre Archery Club, said the town would get more value for its £9m if it was invested in a centre at The Banks.

Some clubs, such as the archery club, have been based at Bingham Leisure Centre for a long time and have developed close links with Toot Hill.

He raised concerns that a new centre would include only indoor facilities, saying many sports, like archery, use both indoor and outdoor facilities.

Town councillor Mrs Sue Hull was concerned Mr Stockwood was more interested in saving money than what was important for the people of Bingham.

She said improvements to children’s health would save money on healthcare in the long term.

Bingham will not receive new leisure facilities unless it is triggered by factors including damage to existing facilities or significant housing growth.

Mr Stockwood said none of these were likely in the short term and so the town should not expect a leisure centre soon.