Cash boost for gym expansion

The £600,000 investment will create a mezzanine floor and purchase new gym equipment at both venues.

The funding will come through a Prudential Borrowing Scheme, meaning the authority will recoup all the money back, which it will then invest in other services across the district.

Leisure and cultural services manager Peter Clark said this was a ‘win-win’ situation for both Bassetlaw residents and the council in improving people’s health.

“We know both centres are well-used at the moment and we want even more people to be able to access them,” he said.

“This won’t just benefit people who use the gym, but it will also help the council to suppor other areas of the budget, such as the 0 per cent rise in Council Tax.”

Latest figures show that Worksop Gym is almost at full capacity with 1,500 members with Retford members around the 1,300 mark.

Both venues, which are managed by BPL, have been designed to allow for future expansion to create a second floor for gym users.

Portfolio holder for environment and leisure, Coun Julie Leigh, said the expansion scheme would provide a much-needed boost for the people of Bassetlaw.

“This is an investment in the future health of the community, and shows how working in partnership with local health services to tackle health inequalities in the district,” she said.

The proposals will be considered at Full Council on 4th March and, if approved, work will begin this summer.