The ambitious proposals follow the £16 million refurbishment and extension of the Newbold Comyn and St Nicholas Leisure Centres in Leamington and Warwick, both of which are exceeding expectations in terms of increased use by local people.

In the report the Executive will be asked to approve a number of options for new and upgraded facilities for the town that will form the basis for stakeholder and public consultation.  The main proposals for consideration are;

To demolish the current Castle Farm Recreation Centre and replace it with a brand new ‘dry-side’ sports complex.  A new facility would be designed to meet with Sport England’s Facility Planning model and would probably have a six court sports hall, 80 station gym and fitness studios. The report also addresses the needs of the local scout groups who currently use the building, and a potential relocation of the Kenilworth Wardens Sports Club to land adjacent to the Recreation Centre.

To upgrade and enhance the facilities at Abbey Fields to Sport England standards, to provide additional water space for ‘formal swimming’ clubs, teaching, and recreational swimming. The plans for consideration are for the refurbishment of the existing 25 metre indoor pool, changing rooms and café area. In addition residents are to be asked to choose between retaining the existing outdoor pool and paddling pool or replacing them with an additional indoor pool which could be used for swimming activities all the year round.

Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Councillor Michael Coker commented;

“We have upgraded the facilities at Warwick and Leamington to a first class standard and this has encouraged large numbers of people to use those facilities to improve their health and leisure time.  We now intend to upgrade the Kenilworth facilities for the same purpose, but to do so we will be consulting fully on the proposals put forward.”

If the report is approved by Executive it will then go forward to further design stages and then be reported back to Executive.