Issue - meetings

To provide the Panel with an update on Leisure Provision (report of the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture which provided the Panel with an update on Leisure provision.

The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture introduced the report which included the following main areas:

• background to the report;
• Q2 and Q3 2022/23 performance;
• the contractual position;
• future leisure facilities;
• the Castle Swimming Pool usage data was appended at Appendix A;
• the Castle Sports Centre usage data was appended at Appendix B; and
• the Peele Leisure Centre usage data was appended at Appendix C.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members were concerned by the decreased usage levels at the Peele Leisure Centre and stated that increased promotional activity was required for this facility. What was the reason for the decreased usage?
  • The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture responded that:
    • post-Covid, the Peele Leisure Centre usage had not recovered as strongly as the Castle Sports Centre facility;
    • whilst sales against target for the Peele facility had been on track, some regular users had not returned after Covid which had, in part, been attributed to its location on a school site (University Academy Long Sutton);
    • Parkwood had recently made the following investment to upgrade the gym equipment which would be promoted through social media campaigns and leaflet-drops:
      • replacement treadmills;
      • heavier weights;
      • installation of TVs; and
      • a squat rack was due to be installed .
    • Parkwood had reported a significant decrease in usage by the University Academy Long Sutton which had impacted overall usage figures.

• Members questioned the quality of the marketing activity and stated personal lack of awareness of promotional campaigns. Members suggested that mutually beneficial promotional campaigns with local businesses could increase the awareness of the district’s leisure facilities.
  • The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture would relay the comments to Parkwood.

AGREED:

a)    That after consideration of Q2 and Q3 2022/23 Swimming Pool and Leisure Facilities performance outcomes, the comments of the Panel be noted; and

b)    That the approach taken to develop the future options and opportunities for leisure provision in South Holland be noted.