Agenda item

The Assistant Director (Health & Well-Being) presented the report as set out in the agenda and with the aid of slides showed illustrations of design/plans of the facilities to be delivered within the Sport and Leisure Complex.  He showed various photographs of the work being undertaken both in the Sport and Fitness Centre and the Conference and Entertainment Centre. He also updated members on the following:

·         Approximately 17 weeks into a 25 week programme for the Sport and Fitness Centre.  These works on course for completion with no substantial issues or problems anticipated.  Expected opening date to be 3^rd January 2017.

·         Conference and Entertainment Centre larger scheme of work.  Works underway with complicated refit required in the ballroom for the stage lighting and sound system. 

·         Main challenges on the site being:

o   the structural design work

o   Damage of skittle alley and Wessex Suite roof due to vandalism and lead theft, negotiations now taking place with the insurance company for the replacement of the roof.

o   More asbestos removal required than first envisaged.

·         Secured £100K from ECB grant for new Cricket Pavilion which is expected to be completed by April 2017.

·         Confirmed the name and logo of the complex explaining the process and reasoning behind the branding and retaining of the original ‘Westland’ name.

·         Expected opening day of the Conference and Entertainment Centre to be 27^th March 2017.  Now actively programming the venue and taking bookings with the first acts to be announced shortly.

·         Principal staff positons to be advertised and recruitment process completed by December 2016.

In response to questions, the Assistant Director informed members that:

·         When complete the complex would look to employ 10 full time equivalent (FTE) staff within the Conference & Entertainment Centre, LED Leisure Management approx. 6 FTE staff and a casual workforce of approx. 10 FTE which would fluctuate on demand. 

·         Acknowledged the challenges regarding security of the site, measures have now been put in place to mitigate the access and safeguarding of the site including 24 hour security.

·         Confirmed the naming of the complex made in conjunction with a public survey with the majority wishing to retain the ‘Westland’ name.

·         Acknowledged the work required to overcome the perception of the old model to ensure the correct marketing to establish and promote the new complex.

·         Stakeholder visit of site to take place on 16^th November 2016.  Request for the Area South Committee to visit the site was noted and would be arranged for the near future.

·         Facilities within the Sports Hall all Disability Discrimination Act compliant.

During a short discussion members provided mixed views concerning the name of the complex and considered the conference and catering facilities were of major importance in the success of the complex. They congratulated the Assistant Director (Health & Well Being) and his team on all the hard work being done to deliver the project and gave their full support on what was a very positive project for the local area.  Members were pleased to note the progress report.

NOTED