Council 'Committed' to Leisure Provision on Fountain Centre Site
Seeks to allay concerns caused by premature release of report
Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre swimming pools
August 30, 2024
A statement has been issued by a senior Hounslow Council councillor saying that the borough remains committed to leisure provision on the site of the Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre.
Cllr Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development was seeking to allay concerns about the centre after a report into its future was accidentally released into the public domain.
Cllr Bruce authored the report which concluded that the centre on Chiswick High Road was ‘at the end of its useful life’ with no specific commitment to rebuild.
The report was originally due to be presented to the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday (3 September) along with a request for nearly £1million for a study into future options for the centre and £285,000 to address priority health and safety issues.
The cost of leisure provision in the borough has increased significantly due to rising energy costs and reduced memberships since the pandemic. In the last two budgets, the council has had to make provision to cover shortfalls in the accounts of Lampton Leisure.
The report was retracted by the council last Saturday afternoon (24 August) with Cllr Bruce saying it was a preliminary version which contained some gaps and that a ‘comprehensive and fully developed report’ would be presented to the October cabinet meeting.
The inadvertent leak of the report has resulted in increased concerns that the council is considering a sale of the site without replacing the centre.
The requested feasibility study would aim to deliver a more detailed analysis within six months using Sport England methodology to establish whether the current number of leisure centres in the borough, including those with swimming pools was adequate.
The 2.2 acre site that the centre occupies including the car park was valued at £3.85 million in 2009 and would be worth considerably more now and a sale would help deal with a £30million budget which has recently forced it to propose cuts in the amount paid to low income families through Council Tax Support.
Previous plans for the site have included schemes in which the cost of a new leisure centre would have been offset by building flats above it. A £68 million proposal in 2017 with London & Quadrant envisaged the centre moving to the Citroen garage site at Capital Interchange Way. The stalling of the plan to rebuild the Watermans Arts Centre using funds from flat sales has caused some to conclude that this model of development for community assets is no longer viable.
Cllr Bruce said, “The report has understandably raised concerns and I want to assure our community that the Council remains fully committed to having a leisure centre on the current site.
“It also referenced funding to address health and safety issues at the current centre. To be clear, there are no current safety risks for centre users.
"This funding is intended to address matters such as roof repairs in the gym, sports hall, reception and pool hall, and access improvements, such as repairs to the turnstile gate. These matters are primarily age-related and are being managed to ensure the centre remains safe for all and to prevent current issues from getting worse.
“Any future decisions about the Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre will be based on a thorough and transparent process, with a major emphasis on community engagement to shape proposals. The feasibility study referenced in the report is about ensuring that future development is informed by a detailed analysis of the borough’s leisure needs, with full input from the community, centre users and all relevant stakeholders.
“Our goal is to provide modern, high-quality leisure facilities that meet the needs of Brentford residents now and into the future. We believe in a collaborative approach and will ensure that all voices are heard as we work towards a solution that best serves the community.”
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