Erewash Borough Council’s Executive is set to recommend that the Council launches a substantial modernisation of Victoria Park Leisure Centre in Ilkeston. The Victoria Park Leisure Centre £2.840m Refurbishment Plan will then be subject to consultation with the wider community and key groups to inform the final design and investment decision.
The Leisure Centre’s facilities are much valued by the local community, supporting initiatives such as ‘swim4life’ and ‘swim4free’, which encourage the public, local groups and schools to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle – one of Erewash Borough Council’s top priorities.
The modernisation proposal is due to be discussed at the Council’s Executive meeting at Ilkeston Town Hall on Wednesday 24th February at 2pm. If agreed, a final decision on the go-ahead will then be made at the Full Council meeting on 4th March.
As part of the proposed refurbishment, the Council would provide at least £2.39m of funding - the remaining £450,000 required to implement the scheme would be dependent on a successful grant application to Sport England. Sport England encouraged the Council to submit a full bid for funding, which it did on 1st February this year, and a decision on whether this application has been successful will be made in early April.
Improvements outlined in the refurbishment proposals include major work to boost disabled access, a new multi-purpose room for dance and workout sessions, a gym, all-new family changing facilities, a new-look reception area and the relocation of the cafe to the ground floor - while the car park and its lighting would also be given a makeover to make access and parking easier.
All the proposed work would help drive the Council's on-going commitment to increasing physical activity levels across all age groups in Erewash, with particular emphasis on improving the number of positive activities for young people.
Victoria Park Leisure Centre currently boasts a 25-metre swimming pool, a family splash pool, a teaching pool, 25 and 50 metre flume rides, a sauna suite, crèche facilities and café. The modernisation programme would also provide training facilities and a club meeting room and redesigned changing facilities that would include a disabled changing area and separate school changing facilities.
All proposed changes are aimed at improving access for people with disabilities, for older people and for families with young children, as well as improving the overall satisfaction levels of those using the Leisure Centre.
Modernisation would also include essential work such as roof repairs, pool plant upgrading, re-sealing of the pool surrounds/changing room floors and minor work to the pool tank.
A Victoria Park Leisure Centre £2.840m modernisation proposal would help the Council deliver the following benefits to the community:
- Ensure that the facility continues to provide a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults to visit and participate in activities.
- Improve access for disabled and older people by the relocation and redesign of the reception kiosk, the installation of a lift, adapted changing facilities and relocation of the cafe to the ground floor.
- Help boost the whole customer-friendly experience with improved enjoyment levels for those visiting and using the facilities at Victoria Park Leisure Centre.
- Improve the health, wellbeing and physical activity of the local population through participation in sporting and active recreation.
The Victoria Park Leisure Centre project would also ensure that talented athletes involved with Stanton, Ilkeston and Long Eaton Swimming Clubs are able to use quality facilities which support their development and progression to elite levels - while the changes would also help to support other clubs that use the facility.
Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, said:
“We are delighted to announce this exciting proposal that would give Victoria Park Leisure Centre a new and improved look – as well as providing extra facilities to further boost the fantastic swimming and leisure opportunities already on offer.
“This would be a major investment for Erewash Borough Council and would be welcomed, I am sure, by the local community. This proposal would ensure the long term future of Victoria Park Leisure Centre for all the residents of Ilkeston.”
Erewash Borough Council has prioritised the need to improve people’s health with its partners - including a popular scheme with Derbyshire Primary Care Trust, which sees local GPs able to refer patients to the Council’s leisure centres.
The Council is also committed to providing excellent customer-focussed services through the development of first class facilities and works hard to meet the needs of all sections of the community.
- If the modernisation plan is given the go-ahead, certain aspects of the refurbishment may be subject to planning permission.
