Comments from residents, sports clubs and local organisations are to be heard at a meeting next week as further progress is made to deliver the district’s new leisure centre.

Following a consultation exercise in May, 164 responses were received – which highlighted the following areas:

• The most important element of the facility is the eight lane swimming pool (63 per cent of responses)
• Respondents liked the range of sports facilities available ‘all in one place’ – a number highlighted the location of the building as easily accessible
• The design of the building was supported by most of the feedback
• A number of responses highlighted they wanted the pool to have more spectator seating

These comments will be discussed by the Commercial Services Committee on Thursday 18 June as they discuss the progress which is being made on the project.

Ahead of the report, site investigation works have started at the proposed location of the District leisure centre at Downham Road in Ely. The investigation works are a key part of assessing the ground conditions and engineering requirements for building the new centre.

Councillor Richard Hobbs, Chairman of Commercial Services Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “The latest figures from Sport England made sobering reading for all of those who want the legacy of London 2012 to be an increase in participation in sport. The research showed the number of people actively taking part in sport had fallen – swimming, which is one of the most popular activities, has seen a big decline nationally over the last six months. Work by this Council to bring forward a development of a brand new eight lane swimming pool and leisure centre is therefore vital.

“Without a new facility, we cannot hope to encourage our growing population to become active. With a state of the art leisure centre, we will not just meet the demands of those who view sport as a way of life - we will also have the capacity to reach those who for one reason or another feel they don’t have the confidence or an opportunity to be active. The recent consultation process helped us in this process and I would like to thank all those people who fed back their comments.”

The new facility which will form part of the leisure village on the A10 near Ely aims to meet most of the demand for leisure facilities in East Cambridgeshire for the next 25 years.

In November 2014, the Council agreed the mix of facilities which the leisure centre would have to address the existing gaps in provision, meet future demands; and be cost effective to operate. These are:

• an eight lane 25m Pool
• a learner Pool
• a Health & Fitness Suite (120 stations)
• Two Activity Studios
• a four Court Sports Hall
• a Full Size Artificial Grass Pitch.

For more information please call 01353 665555 or visit: www.eastcambs.gov.uk.