Council to explore two options on leisure provision

At Harborough District Council’s Cabinet meeting on 6 July 2020, councillors agreed that the Council would consider two options going forward; whether to redevelop or redesign the existing leisure centre in Market Harborough, or whether to build a new leisure centre on an alternative site in the town.

Residents will be asked for their views as part of a public consultation on the options scheduled for the autumn.

The Council said it will need to consider the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the project and how leisure provision will look going forward. A business case will now be finalised on how best to move forward on the two options.

The Council said it will also continue to look to refurbish Lutterworth Sports Centre.

Cllr Simon Whelband (pictured), Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Wellbeing, Communities and Housing, said: “We wanted to look at more than one option to give us flexibility on how best to proceed. We will soon be asking for people’s views on the options which will be crucial in helping us move forward.”

Following consultation with the public in 2017, the Council has been actively looking at how it can enhance its leisure facilities and provision to create accessible, sustainable sport and leisure opportunities across the district which encourage participation, improve health and well-being and enhance quality of life.

An extensive amount of work has been undertaken by the Council, and its leisure consultant, to review the current environment from the leisure market and local authority perspective.

It is a key requirement for the Council that any leisure investment should help get inactive residents taking part in physical activity and that this, in turn, positively impacts on health and wellbeing, as well as provides other social benefits.