A major investment in facilities and new eco-friendly technology at Carn Brea Leisure Centre is to go ahead following the approval of £480k of funding by Cornwall Council.
The successful charity-run facility, which has more than 500,000 visits a year, is to get a complete revamp of its swimming pool changing facilities, a visual makeover and installation of new high tech equipment to reduce operating costs and improve its environmental sustainability.
Carn Brea Leisure Centre was built in 1973 and currently employs more than 100 people. The centre is operated by an independent Charitable Trust and governed by a Board of Trustees.
Cornwall Council has approved funding for the Centre and a three-phased programme of work, will be getting under way immediately with the project scheduled for completion at the end of February 2010.
In the first phase of work, new boilers, air handling units, electrical systems and a high efficiency hot water system will be installed to help minimise waste heat, significantly reduce day-to-day running costs and help increase the Centre’s environmental performance.
For regular users to the swimming pool, the most notable change will be the reduced level of chlorine. A new ultra violet treatment plant will mean that less chlorine will be used and along with the new air handling system will lead to a much better environment for swimmers.
The second phase of the work will involve making visual improvements to the centre, including, a new canopy over the entrance, paintwork and clearer internal and external signage.
In the final phase of work, the swimming pool changing rooms will be completely refurbished into a modern changing village. Visitors can expect a completely re-worked space, which will include new changing cubicles, disabled and baby changes, lockers, showers and toilet facilities.
Neil Burden, Cornwall Council cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “The trust has managed brilliantly as a charity for the last few years and we are delighted to be able offer this funding. This money will not only give a welcomed facelift to some of the facilities but by reducing the use of carbon fuel and power the centre will also put into practice the low carbon Cornwall policy which has been recently implemented at a number of Cornwall Council managed leisure facilities throughout Cornwall.”
Jeff Marston, Chairman of Carn Brea Leisure Centre Charitable Trust, said: “Securing funding from Cornwall Council is a positive step towards achieving our primary objective to sustain, develop and improve the current facility to ensure it meets the needs of the local community.
“Moving forward, the Trust is committed to ensuring the Centre operates as efficiently and environmentally friendly as possible in order to sustain us through to a replacement Centre.”
Alex Clifton, Carn Brea Leisure Centre Manager, said: “This is a really exciting time for everyone involved at Carn Brea. Visitors to the centre may experience minor disruptions during the third phase of work when the changing rooms are being refurbished but otherwise as work gets underway it is very much business as usual.”
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