Agenda item

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

The Leisure Services Team Manager presented the report to Members.

He provided the Working Party with an update on each of the ongoing projects.

Coalville Park Improvements

It was confirmed that all works had been completed. There was a remaining balance of £820 and consideration was being given to any additional equipment enhancements that could be made to the Park.

Councillor J Legrys stated that he felt there was insufficient play equipment aimed at very young children and suggested that the money be put towards rectifying this. The Leisure Services Team Manager stated that, given the small remaining balance, it would be unlikely that new equipment would be installed and the focus would instead be on enhancing what was already in place.

Owen Street Recreation Ground

The electricity upgrade works had been completed. Further works were being considered in order to upgrade the fittings on the floodlight columns and an initial quote had indicated a cost of £60,000. It was confirmed that clarification was being sought to see if the necessary lux improvements could be completed at a cheaper cost.

The proposed long term lease had been issued to the football club for their consideration. As a short term measure, a one year lease had been signed so that league requirements were satisfied for next season.

The new long term lease would allow the club to apply to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund for match funding for a new changing room pavilion. The club had developed an initial design that included an additional turnstile, external toilets, an external catering outlet and the flexibility to segregate home and away fans. The design had been shared with the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and amendments were currently being made following their advice.

It was reiterated that £115,000 had been committed to the project from the District Council and the additional amount required to reach 50% of the cost would be funded by the football club.

Councillor M B Wyatt raised concerns regarding the funding that was being provided by the District Council. He stated that steps should be taken to ensure that the contract goes to tender and stressed that if this was not the case that he would have grave concerns over providing the funding. The Head of Community Services stated that he was confident that the process would require a tender but stated that he would seek clarification in order to confirm this.

Thringstone Miners Social Centre

Provisional costs and plans had been obtained for the training pitch which had shown that an artificial surface would be cost prohibitive. It was confirmed that discussions with the County Council regarding the footpath extinguishment were ongoing and that a survey had been commissioned to assess whether it would be viable.

Cropston Drive BMX Track and Wheeled Sports Facility

It was confirmed that work on the BMX track had commenced and that it was anticipated that this element would be completed in May. Confirmed costs from the two contractors for the wheeled sports facility were expected imminently. These would then be evaluated for best value before the final proposals were discussed and consulted upon. It was anticipated that the works would commence in June.

Broomleys Allotments

Having declared an interest in this item Councillor M B Wyatt left the meeting.

The project had now been fully completed and the final balance was in the process of being calculated.

Councillor J Geary asked if it would be possible for members of the Working Party to visit the allotments in order to see the finalised project prior to the next meeting of the Working Party on 15 July 2014. The Head of Community Services stated that he would try to arrange such a visit.

Councillor M B Wyatt returned to the meeting.

Urban Forest Park

An independent assessor had been engaged to evaluate any implications with potential gas emissions that may be created through drainage and path works. Recommendations were that any contractors should be made aware of the membrane prior to commencing work and that it should be left in an undamaged state. Proposals would now be developed and approved by the assessor prior to Ward Members being consulted before the work commenced in early summer.

Councillor J Legrys stated that he still had concerns regarding gas emissions and warned that it was important to be extremely cautious with the membrane at the site. The Leisure Services Team Manager stated that emissions were tested twice a year, in line with the legal requirement, and that no problems had come to light as a result. He reassured Members that anything detrimental highlighted in the assessor’s report regarding potential works would lead to a reevaluation of the project.

Melrose Road Play Area

The additional flooring had now been installed and, as such, the project had now been completed.

RESOLVED THAT:

the progress on Capital Projects be noted.