A brand new, multi-million pound state-of-the-art facility to replace the outdated Bulmershe Leisure Centre is set to be built next year, subject to planning permission. And Wokingham Borough Council wants to hear from residents, local schools, sports groups as well as leisure users on what improved facilities would encourage them to use the new centre.
Back in November, the borough council’s decision-making executive approved proposals for a new leisure centre in Woodley on the existing site of the Bulmershe Leisure Centre. It would feature a sports hall, a 25m six lane swimming pool, a 75 station gym, two studios, a teaching pool with movable floor, and a café.
Anyone interested in giving their views can visit the council’s website and search for ‘consultations’ and complete a short survey. A number of information sessions are taking place and members of the public are very welcome to come along to find out more about the proposals.
Information sessions
The sessions are taking place on:
- Saturday 20 January, 9am to 4pm, Woodley Town Centre precinct
- Sunday 21 January, 9am to 4pm at Bulmershe Leisure Centre
- Monday 22 January, Midday to 2pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Bulmershe Leisure Centre
- Thursday 25 January, Midday to 2pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Bulmershe Leisure Centre
- Saturday 27 January, 9am to 4pm, Woodley Town Centre precinct
- Sunday 28 January, 9am to 4pm, Bulmershe Leisure Centre
An open evening for local Sports Clubs is also taking place on:
- Tuesday 16 January, 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Bulmershe Leisure Centre
- Wednesday 17 January, 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Bulmershe Leisure Centre
Additional sessions will also take place with Woodley Town Council, local schools and specific sports groups who currently use Bulmershe Leisure Centre.
Fantastic facility
Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for environment, sports, environmental health, leisure and libraries, said: “This state-of-the-art new leisure centre will be a fantastic facility for Woodley and the surrounding area. I encourage everyone with an interest in the centre to have their say on what facilities would most encourage them to use the new centre. It is very important that we get it right for the community.
“We plan to open the new centre in 2020 subject to planning permission. This is another huge investment in leisure facilities in the Wokingham Borough which will ensure everyone can live healthy and active lives.”
The leisure centre underwent some cosmetic refurbishment, incorporating new facilities and equipment in 2014, thanks to investments from the borough council and its’s leisure partner 1-Life. But at that time the council promised to look at future plans to sustain and improve the centre further.
The centre was built in the 1970s and its facilities are tired and in need of investment to bring it up to a better standard to help the council support its vision ‘to create a great place to live, an even better place to do business’ and the borough-wide health and wellbeing strategy.
Benefits
The new leisure centre would benefit The Bulmershe School and the local community, including young people, families and the elderly population. It would also help increase physical activity in the Woodley and surrounding area including Earley as well as help those with long-term health conditions. Council leisure facilities offer many preventative services, which contribute to savings within the its social care budget which are severely under pressure
From 30 April 2018, Bulmershe Leisure Centre will close its doors for the final time. A planning application is due to be submitted at the end of March, and it is hoped it will be considered by the planning committee in summer 2018. It would take around 18 months to complete.
More information
Here are the proposals for the new Bulmershe Leisure Centre. Please email: sport@wokingham.gov.uk or call (0118) 974 3728 for more information.
