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The council is set to transfer the building to the LSP’s ownership, along with a one-off payment of around £600k towards funding essential repair works and changing the swimming pool into a multi-purpose hall. This work will enable some of the facilities to become available to the local community outside of school hours.
The sports pitches and sports hall, which are operated by Churchill Academy and Sixth Form, will remain available for community use as they have been throughout.
The LSP will contribute the remaining funds required to get the building back to a good condition over the next few years, which is estimated to be around £500k on top of the council’s investment.
The sports centre – which included a swimming pool, gym and studio – has been closed since March 2020, the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
In January 2023, the council announced its decision not to reopen the centre. In April 2023, Churchill Academy and Sixth Form joined the LSP. The council, the Academy and the LSP have been in ongoing talks regarding the future of the building.
Louise Malik, Chief Financial and Operating Officer for the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, is delighted that this agreement has been reached: “the building will be a fantastic asset for the Churchill community; offering indoor studio facilities, in addition to those already available outside on the site, will benefit both the pupils at Churchill Academy and Sixth Form and those in the local area”.
Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, said: “I believe that this absolutely is the best outcome we could achieve given the circumstances. Contributing financially to save the building, rather than using those funds to demolish it, is the right thing to do.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, Churchill Sports Centre Working Group, ward members and council officers. Many people have worked extremely hard to exhaust all possible options and secure a solution for the building which will continue to benefit the local community.”
Councillor Patrick Keating, North Somerset Council ward member for Blagdon and Churchill, said: “I'd particularly like to recognise the hard work of residents' groups who campaigned on behalf of the local community. I’m delighted that by working with the Lighthouse Schools Partnership we’ve together secured a positive outcome which will provide a facility to benefit children and young people, as well as the local community.”
The executive member decision notice can be found on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/junedecisions.
A list of leisure centres in North Somerset, ways to get involved in sports and physical activities, and the council’s Sport and Leisure Facilities Strategy 2020-2036 can be found at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/leisure.