Completed projects

41

Completed project questionnaires Committed investment

120

UK Leisure Framework: example projects COMPLETED

£144m

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12

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Projects underway What impact has the framework had?

Sarah: The framework has ensured the successful completion of vital projects designed to deliver lasting impact. Many would never have gone ahead without it, as the local authorities quite simply wouldn’t have been able to afford to deliver them. Projects range from installing thenew sports pitches, such as the first 3G pitches in Anglesey, to transforming facilities at scale, as we helped Inverclyde Leisure to do, investing £2.6m in three leisure centres to achieve a 75 per cent increase in net income and 51 per cent rise in membership. Jamie: To date, 41 projects have completed, with 12 more underway. Regardless of size or cost, all projects are designed to impact local health and social outcomes by creating healthier communities, while also being economically sustainable to ensure local authorities achieve their income targets. How can it help local authorities?

Jamie: These are challenging times for public sector leisure. The pandemic has highlighted just how important physical activity is for our mental and physical health, yet Sport England figures show that COVID-19 has had a profound effect on people’s activity levels, with those from black, Asian and minority ethnic and lower socioeconomic groups disproportionately affected. The need for public leisure will be greater than ever post-pandemic, but facilities have to be much more relevant if they’re to create better social and

St Helens Council, Newton-Le-Willows Leisure Centre £4.2m West Suffolk Council, Newmarket Leisure Centre £1.8m ● Monmouthshire County Council, Monmouth Leisure Centre £7.4m ● Kirklees Active Leisure, Batley Sports & Tennis Centre £1.5m ● Conwy County Council, Stadiwm Zip World £0.25m ● Denbighshire County Council, Rhyl Leisure Centre £1m ● Denbighshire County Council, SC2 £15m ON-SITE

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Dudley Leisure Centre £17.4m Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Halesowen Leisure Centre £8.4m ● Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Crystal Leisure Centre £4.1m ● Brentwood Council, King George’s Playing Fields £8m ● Wiltshire Council, Melksham Community Campus £14m ● South Somerset Council, Chard Leisure Centre £14m ● Sevenoaks District Council, White Oak Leisure Centre £20m ● ●

financial returns for local authorities. By mitigating the risk and making developments easier and more cost-effective, the framework will allow councils to invest in the right provision to bring economic, health and social benefits to their communities. Sarah: Local authorities will need to broaden their offerings, both indoors and outdoors, to create active environments that can be used by as many members of the community as possible to ensure value for money. They must consider splash pads, zip wires, outdoor play and parkour to really invigorate their leisure spaces and generate returns. At its heart, the UK Leisure Framework is a proven vehicle for delivering inspiring schemes that increase opportunities for physical activity. ● Alliance Leisure: www.allianceleisure.co.uk The Framework: www.leisureframework.co.uk ©Cybertrek 2021 Issue 5 2021

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PHOTO: ALLIANCE LEISURE

PHOTO: ALLIANCE LEISURE

The aim is to create self-sustaining facilities Operators must consider all types of facility provision