Oxford City Leisure Facilities Review

Ian Brooke

Head of City Leisure

Temple Cowley User Group

11th March 2010

Purpose of the presentation

1) To show what research has been undertaken to date

2) To make clear the problems with TCP & BLP

3) To detail what initial consultation has taken place

4) To communicate the next steps

Previous researchEarly research:• 2001 Sport & Leisure Operational Review (Deloitte’s) - The need to improve facility quality • 2003 Indoor Facilities Strategy (Strategic Leisure)–Need to consolidate facilities in the South of the City• 2003 Open space, sport and recreation assessment (Strategic Leisure) - Need for high quality, multi use facilities • 2006 Leisure Best Value Review (KPMG) - A poor, no star service

Recent research:• 2008 City wide site search for land for a new facility - Blackbird Leys was identified as the best option • 2009 The Leisure Facilities Review – The need to replace BLP & TCP with a new competition standard pool• 2009 Value for money scrutiny – Agreed the above • 2009 Sport England's Facility Improvement Service – Supports the option of consolidating TCP and BLP at Blackbird Leys LC• 2009 Active Places Diagnostic – Supports the competition standard pool business case • 2009 The Sport & Physical Activity Review – That the City have twice the national average of water space and supports the need for a new competition standard

pool• 2010 An outline business case for a new competition standard pool

Common themes:• Need to improve VFM • Develop a City leisure offering • Need to remodel and improve the quality of facilities in the South of the City

The need to remodel facilities and improve the quality in the South of the City

Operational problems:

• BLP & TCP are have major design faults• £2.6M maintenance backlog • Unable to hold national galas• Poor access and limited parking• Highly inefficient – TCP 973t CO2 (Barton 269t) in

08/09• High running costs –TCP cost £533k (Ferry cost

£135k) in 08/09

Oversupply:

• Fusion Lifestyle believe we have the most leisure facilities per population in England

• Twice the national average of water space• BLP & TCP unable to meet modern day

expectations • Underused facilities (except Ferry)• A facility mix that was developed before 10

private facilities were added

The need to remodel facilities and improve the quality in the South of the City

Design and condition issues A well designed sustainable facility

Blackbird Leys Pool Temple Cowley Pools

Temple Cowley Pools

Picture 1: Deteriorated pipe work within Plant Room

Picture 2: Pipe work and ducting showing signs of corrosion within Plant Room

Picture 3: Structure pillar in wet duct significantly corroded

Picture 4: Pipe work in Plant Room leaking and showing signs of corrosion

Temple Cowley Pools

Picture 5: External walls cracking and bowing

Picture 6: External fabric of building deteriorating

Picture 7: Pool Hall tiles have come loose due to walls bowing

Picture 8: Vegetation causing damage to roof structure

Temple Cowley Pools

Picture 9: Corroded lower section of column under roof truss

Picture 10: Tiles in Diving Pool have bowed out

Picture 11: Condensation caused by deteriorating ventilation

Picture 12: Poolside tiles and grills are poor quality

Initial Consultation

Over the past 18 months council officers have discussed plans with:

• The City of Oxford Swimming Club• The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA)• Sport England (also used Facilities Improvement Service)• Oxfordshire Sports Partnership• Fusion Lifestyle• Greenwich Leisure• Community Sports Network (includes the voluntary sector, the

PCT and the Youth Sport Trust)• The County Council (social care, education - including Peers

Academy and Oxford Community School) and the Library Service

• Oxford and Cherwell Valley College• Primary Care Trust• The Blackbird Leys Review• City Council departments; Planning, Property, Community

Development • The Temple Cowley user group

Summary

• The Council's adopted strategy is to move towards a smaller number of modern facilities with wider appeal across the City and beyond

• Doing nothing at TCP and BLP is not an option

• Key question is where the replacement will be:

On TCP site, refurb existing sites, or Blackbird Leys

• Logic, facts and figures so far suggest that BBLLC is the answer

Next steps:

1. Full City Wide consultation

2. Update costs for TCP

3. Full business case returning to June’s CEB

Questions and Answers to date