By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Changing room facilities at Mansfield’s popular Water Meadows swimming baths could be due for £360,000 of improvements as the council looks to make them “fit for purpose”.
It follows a new contract signed between Mansfield District Council and Serco Leisure until 2032 which will see the company spend £2 million across the town’s three major leisure centres.
Works include improving Water Meadows’ health and fitness offering, IT, gym and cafes, as well as installing a new climbing zone and party room.
A new outdoor 3G pitch is also planned for Oak Tree Leisure Centre alongside an inflatable ‘Wipe Out Arena’ obstacle course for children and refreshed gym equipment.
The Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre facility will also have health and fitness improvements and the installation of a ‘pool view’ system which, the council says, will “create a safer swimming environment”.
And carbon reduction and energy-saving measures totalling £333,477 are also expected to dramatically cut carbon emissions.
Now the authority has outlined funding plans to improve the changing room facilities at Water Meadows, off Bath Street.
The council says these works will be worth a maximum value of £360,000, taking the total leisure centre investment from Serco above £2 million.
It is not clear at this stage what the improvements would mean and how the facilities will change, with the authority and Serco going out to procurement to find a contractor for the works.
But a delegated decision on allowing the investment will be taken by Councillor Andy Burgin (Lab), the council’s portfolio holder for environment and leisure, on March 21.
A report published ahead of the decision states: “[Serco and the council] agree to the need and aspiration to include investment in improving the swimming pool changing rooms at Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex.
“[This will] ensure they remain fit for purpose and up to customer expectations for the duration of the new contract up to 2032.
“The council has committed to a maximum value of £360k for these works.
“Investment in the leisure centres will result in improved energy efficiency, provide a refresh of the centres attracting users in a highly competitive market.
“Investment in these ageing buildings is required to continue to retain and attract custom.”
Serco was chosen as the council’s leisure management company following what the authority described as a “competitive procurement process”, which started in February 2021.
The contract will begin in May and will be operated alongside the More Leisure Community Trust.
This marks the end of the authority’s previous contract with Mansfield District Leisure Trust, which has operated for the past decade.
Speaking last month, Cllr Burgin (Lab) said: “This new contract marks a fresh start for leisure provision in Mansfield and will bring multiple health and wellbeing benefits to our residents.
“The new contract looks at introducing new options within the local community and we look forward to working closely with Serco and seeing their exciting plans come to fruition over the coming months.”
The contract will also see specialist leisure activities provided in community venues across the district.
The council says this will encourage people who “do not visit traditional leisure centres to become more active”.
