A COUNCIL still wants to refurbish a leisure centre but says it can only do so if significant funds become available.
Hopes of potentially millions of pounds of funding to revamp Caldicot Leisure Centre were dashed in November 2023 when Monmouthshire County Council’s bid for UK Government Levelling Up funding was overlooked.
It was the second time an application to the fund to support the centre was overloooked by the scheme.
Conservative councillor for Portskewett Lisa Dymock asked at the council’s May meeting what it is doing to “urgently secure funding” for the refurbishment of Caldicot Leisure Centre.
Labour’s Cllr Angela Sandles, the cabinet member for communities, said: “A full and complete refurbishment would be ideal but we have to be realistic and funding remains a significant challenge and the council has perused many attempts at grant opportunities but have not been successful.”
Cllr Sandles also said longer term plans for the leisure centre would have to align with its broader placemaking plan which initially aims to regenerate and “in time” the leisure centre.
But said future investment would need to be in line with council’s capital strategy and competing demands on its resources.
She outlined a series of investments the council has made in the centre including LED floodlights, a multi-use games area with basketball court which the Magor East and Undy member described as “amazing and very well used” and new indoor cycling studio while a business case is being developed to upgrade the fitness suite.
Cllr Sandles said the centre has seen an increase in membership while she there has been a fall in anti-social behaviour since a Friday night positive futures programme, supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner, was introduced.
Cllr Dymock also asked about repairs to the skate park and Cllr Sandles recognised the need for repairs which would be considered when money is available.
