Decision - King Alfred Leisure Centre Regeneration Project

This report will set out options for delivering a new leisure centre in the west of the city. Cabinet will be asked to consider the site and delivery options.

That Cabinet: 1) Agrees that part of the existing seafront King Alfred site is the preferred site on which to take forward the development of the new sports and leisure facility to replace the existing King Alfred Leisure Centre. 2) Approves the indicative capital budget for the project of up to £47.4 million to be included in the Medium Term Capital Investment programme to be funded from a combination of capital receipts, government grants and council borrowing. 3) Approves an initial allocation of £2.7m of these resources to progress the project to planning application stage funded from council borrowing. 4) Agrees to the commencement of design work for the development of the Leisure Centre on the preferred site, to include procuring the lead architect and professional team to deliver the new facility and delegates authority to the Corporate Director to approve the procurement of the associated professional team and to progress the project to planning application stage. 5) Notes the inclusion of £1.07 million estimated ongoing revenue commitment within the Medium Term Financial Strategy to recognise the potential net financing costs of the project from 2025/26 onwards. 6) Notes that as the project progresses to key decision points further reports will be presented to cabinet in line with the timetable set out at 4.16.

The report examines refurbishing the existing King Alfred Leisure Centre as a baseline reference case. An estimated £13.98 million would be needed for remedial works to keep the facility operating for a further 10 years, but the refurbishment would not provide modern facilities, significantly improve energy efficiency or resolve the building’s fundamental design limitations.