Plans to replace Church Farm Leisure Centre with a new state-of-the-art sports facility at Victoria Recreation Ground are set to be discussed at Policy and Resources Committee (16 December 2015).
The proposed new building will include a 25 metre six lane community swimming pool, a learner pool, a café, a fitness suite and flexible studio space.
The committee will also seek approval of a mix of leisure facilities at a newly rebuilt Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre. It is proposed that Copthall will include a 25 metre, 8 lane swimming pool, a 25 metre, 6 lane swimming pool, a learner pool, a café, fitness suite and flexible studio space.
The redevelopment of the leisure facilities at an estimated cost of £30m forms the main part of Barnet Council’s Sport and Physical Activity project. The proposals were drawn up after an extensive public consultation, a resident health impact assessment and planning advice.
Savings from retendering the council’s leisure management contract during 2017 will go towards the building costs of the new centres.
Councillor Helena Hart, Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “We want to give our residents every opportunity to lead a healthier lifestyle and the new Victoria Recreation Ground leisure centre, together with the improved Copthall facility, will certainly do that. In these extremely difficult financial times, these proposals present a very creative solution for providing sports and physical exercise facilities for our residents.
“Everyone knows the council needs to save money, but this is a case where we can invest to save at the same time as creating top class new facilities for Barnet’s residents.
“I look forward to see the outcome of the committee discussions.”
Residents can view the Policy and Resources paper at: https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s28130/The%20relocation%20and%20redevelopment%20of%20Church%20Farm%20Leisure%20Centre%20and%20the%20redevelopment%20of%20Barnet%20Copth.pdf
A Public consultation will follow in Spring 2016.