Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Sport and Culture

** Members to note that the appendices to this report are available in the Members’ Room

RESOLVED that

1. the commencement of detailed discussions with tenants and key users of the Prince of Wales Stadium to negotiate future usage arrangements be agreed
2. the strategic principle that facility development and future investment for sport and leisure within the town be focussed on Leisure@ and the Prince of Wales Stadium be supported, as recommended in the Leisure Strategy and associated feasibility studies
3. the detailed business cases for future investment to deliver specific capital developments at a later date, following the successful establishment of a new charitable trust for leisure and culture be considered.

The Cabinet Member Sport and Culture introduced the report and explained that as part of the commissioning review, a Leisure Facilities Strategy had been written and feasibility studies had been undertaken to consider the current operation of the site and a range of future options including changes to the use of existing spaces and the possible addition of new facilities on the site that complimented the current offer. Leisure provision in Cheltenham was good but considerations of the report included installing a modern 3G pitch on or alongside the Prince of Wales training pitch and the addition of a competition standard BMX track. Stakeholder engagement had been positive and thorough. Agreement was sought from Cabinet to commence detailed discussions with tenants and key users of the Stadium, to negotiate future usage arrangements and to look at the strategic vision of creating a sporting hub in PittvillePark.

Members welcomed the report and highlighted the importance of maximising the use of its existing resources and creating a better facility used by more residents.

RESOLVED that

1. the commencement of detailed discussions with tenants and key users of the Prince of Wales Stadium to negotiate future usage arrangements be agreed
2. the strategic principle that facility development and future investment for sport and leisure within the town be focussed on Leisure@ and the Prince of Wales Stadium be supported, as recommended in the Leisure Strategy and associated feasibility studies
3. the detailed business cases for future investment to deliver specific capital developments at a later date, following the successful establishment of a new charitable trust for leisure and culture be considered.