Rushmoor Borough Council has selected both the leisure operator and development partner that it will work with to deliver a new leisure centre in Farnborough town centre.
Everyone Active has been appointed as the new leisure operator, and from 1 April the company will also run the council’s existing leisure facilities in Aldershot, including Aldershot Pools, Lido and Alpine Snowsports before taking on the new leisure centre once open, for a period of 15 years.
The council plans to enter a development management agreement with Alliance Leisure Services Ltd to build the new leisure centre in Farnborough town centre. Alliance will oversee the project and enter a design and build contract with Pellikaan. This recommendation was approved at a meeting of the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 3 March. Subject to planning permission being agreed by the council’s Development Management Committee on 11 March, contracts will be completed during April with a start on site at the end of June.
Everyone Active is the longest-established leisure contractor in the UK, having been founded in 1987, and works with more than 65 local authorities managing over 230 leisure and cultural centres across the UK. The company runs a number of leisure centres locally including those in Hart, Yateley, Bracknell, Godalming, Farnham, Alton and Woking.
As well as running the current council leisure facilities, award-winning operator Everyone Active will also be involved in the final internal designs and fit-out of the new leisure centre.
Councillor Sophie Porter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities and Active Lives at Rushmoor Borough Council, said: “Having undertaken a comprehensive procurement process, I am absolutely delighted to announce that Everyone Active has been chosen as the council’s new leisure operator. A big priority for the council is helping our residents lead healthy, active and enjoyable lives and that means making sure they have access to opportunities to exercise and keep fit.”
Councillor Porter added: “We really want to enable a programme of community and cultural activities that engages everyone, and work with partners to address health inequalities. Building a new leisure centre in Farnborough will help us achieve these aims, and we are extremely excited to have Everyone Active on board as key partners. I would also like to place on record my thanks to Places Leisure for working with us over the past twenty years”.
Ian Cook, Regional Contract Manager at Everyone Active, added: “We are thrilled to have been selected to manage and operate Rushmoor’s leisure centres and look forward to playing a key role in the new Farnborough leisure centre. This state-of-the-art facility will provide residents of all ages and abilities with a welcoming, modern space to be active."
“We want to make physical activity accessible, inclusive and engaging for everyone, and are proud to bring innovative programming, new technology and a strong social value commitment to this partnership."
“Together, we will ensure Rushmoor’s leisure services thrive and continue to enrich lives for years to come.”
The new facility will include a 25-metre swimming pool, as well as a 10-metre learner pool with a moveable floor. There will also be a 100+ fitness station gym, two studio spaces, a spin studio, soft play and a café.
For further information about the Farnborough leisure centre project go to our Farnborough leisure centre page.
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