FARNHAM'S "tired and jaded" sports centre is in line for a £1.8m refurbishment, as management of all five of Waverley Council's leisure centre's enters a new era. The council agreed on Tuesday to grant a 15-year management contract for all its centres to DC Leisure, who already operate four of them, including the one at Farnham. The contract will include managing the refurbishment of Farnham and Godalming leisure centres. "They have been awarded a contract which will ensure our centres are maintained and managed to the highest standards. They are one of the leading companies in their field," said Roger Steel, Waverley's portfolio holder for leisure. The cash injection - from a pot of up to £4million for all five centres - will cover the basic refurbishment, while it is hoped to find further money for new facilities including a climbing wall, more fitness equipment and a creche to be open all day. Mr Steel told The Herald that although the refurbishment is described as "basic", at £1.8million it will involve a very major upgrade of what he sees as a neglected facility, covering all areas of the centre. "Apart from absolutely essential minor repairs, it hasn't had one penny spent on it in refurbishment since it was built." By contrast, said Mr Steel, Camberley's sports centre, which was built to the identical design, had had more than £4million spent over the same period. "You just can't let a sports centre deteriorate the way we have done. Once it begins to look extremely tired and jaded people walk away and there are plenty of private leisure facilities in the area." Although the new contract will not come into force until next July, he hopes that the work can get under way before then. The sports hall will be given state-of-the-art new flooring, new curtains, upgraded lighting, heating and ventilation, newly secure storage and glazing to the viewing gallery. The pools will be retiled, the pool area will be redecorated and have new ceiling and new seating. All the public areas and changing facilities will be revamped, as will the fitness suite and squash courts. There will be a range of technical and energy efficiency upgrades of equipment, plus attention to the grounds outside the centre, including the provision of wider paths and disabled parking bays. "We will have to to talk to users to ensure there is as little disruption to the services as possible," said Mr Steel, adding that there might have to be total closure for a minimal period. Looking further into the future, he said the intention will be to liaise with centre users and sports clubs over any new facilities to be provided. Also with local GPs over how to help patients suffering from complaints such as high blood pressure, depression and obesity. At the moment the key interest is fitness and fitness facilities will be increased accordingly. With trends in sport and leisure prone to change, the hope is that the centre will adapt more readily in future. Mr Steel summed up: "Waverley puts leisure and healthy living high on our list of priorities - they are an essential ingredient to the quality of life. Most importantly we now have a leisure policy that we believe fulfils that wish." As the full council gave the go-ahead to the contract with DC Leisure on Tuesday, Lib Dem group leader Ken Reed warned: "The main concern is that the charges we make to the people of Waverley remain affordable. I would not like to see increases at faster than the Retail Price Index." Deputy council leader Pat Frost was also keen that the centres should be open to as many people as possible. "We all know that in fact we don't have a statutory duty to provide these centres but we regard this as very, very important in the borough and we want to make sure that we have these facilities for all." Mrs Frost said that she was especially pleased that the council was to appoint a disability sports co- ordinator. And although she "cringed" at the £20,000 annual cost of monitoring the contractor's performance, she was glad the monitoring would take place. Independent councillor Dianne James was a lone voice in voting against the contract. She was concerned at being tied in for 15 years and felt DC Leisure should at least be bearing the £20,000 monitoring costs itself. "DC Leisure have a very good track record inside this borough and outside," replied David Munro, adding that there were good safeguards within the contract. He asserted that with such a large contract to be monitored, "£20,000 is peanuts and is worth every penny and more". "Fifteen years does seem a long time, but if a company is going to put major investment into a scheme, you have to give them time to get a return," said Mr Steel. He pointed to the five-year reviews built into the contract and added: "We can determine the contract at any time if they don't perform." Council leader Richard Gates commented: "I really feel that there are people who have never been through the doors of a leisure centre and we really have to work hard with DC Leisure - they have the expertise, the marketing to change that."
