Menu
21/02/2014
£105m Announced For Leisure Facilities
Belfast City Council is planning a major renewal of its leisure facilities with a £105 million investment during the next 10 years.
The plan includes a target of reducing its current £8 million annual subsidy of leisure services by £2 million with the aim of delivering high quality, value for money, 'best in class' leisure services for Belfast.
The council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee today recommended that this could be best achieved by introducing a Leisure Trust operating model known as a Non Profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO).
The £2 million saving will then be used to part finance the investment in the new facilities. Any profits achieved by the NPDO will be re-invested in improving leisure services.
The committee ruled out both outsourcing leisure to the private sector, and an enhanced in-house model. The decision to go for the Leisure Trust option is subject to ratification at the council’s monthly meeting on 3 March.
Alderman Gavin Robinson, chairman of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "Nowhere in the UK, Republic of Ireland or Europe is any local authority making a capital investment of £105 million in its leisure services.
"And this is in addition to the council's £150 million Investment Programme for 2012-2015, which sees the council investing in major and local projects and creating job opportunities – taking total investment in the city to around £255 million.
"A Belfast Leisure Trust will not only secure the jobs, basic terms and conditions ,and pensions of existing employees, but will be a good employer for anyone joining the Trust in the future.
"Sustaining the business is key to protecting existing jobs, providing career development opportunities, and enabling the creation of new jobs and apprenticeships. Currently we have professional, passionate people watching on as customers take their business elsewhere due to poor facilities.
"Elected members and senior managers are committed to being open and transparent with the trade unions and employees throughout this process, and we are confident that this major investment will improve leisure services and benefit employees and, most importantly, the ratepayers of Belfast."
(CD)
The plan includes a target of reducing its current £8 million annual subsidy of leisure services by £2 million with the aim of delivering high quality, value for money, 'best in class' leisure services for Belfast.
The council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee today recommended that this could be best achieved by introducing a Leisure Trust operating model known as a Non Profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO).
The £2 million saving will then be used to part finance the investment in the new facilities. Any profits achieved by the NPDO will be re-invested in improving leisure services.
The committee ruled out both outsourcing leisure to the private sector, and an enhanced in-house model. The decision to go for the Leisure Trust option is subject to ratification at the council’s monthly meeting on 3 March.
Alderman Gavin Robinson, chairman of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "Nowhere in the UK, Republic of Ireland or Europe is any local authority making a capital investment of £105 million in its leisure services.
"And this is in addition to the council's £150 million Investment Programme for 2012-2015, which sees the council investing in major and local projects and creating job opportunities – taking total investment in the city to around £255 million.
"A Belfast Leisure Trust will not only secure the jobs, basic terms and conditions ,and pensions of existing employees, but will be a good employer for anyone joining the Trust in the future.
"Sustaining the business is key to protecting existing jobs, providing career development opportunities, and enabling the creation of new jobs and apprenticeships. Currently we have professional, passionate people watching on as customers take their business elsewhere due to poor facilities.
"Elected members and senior managers are committed to being open and transparent with the trade unions and employees throughout this process, and we are confident that this major investment will improve leisure services and benefit employees and, most importantly, the ratepayers of Belfast."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 June 2017
GLL Plans To Close Pool at Shankill Leisure Centre - Union
Management firm Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is planning to close the pool in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast, according to Unite the union. Unite Regional Officer, Michael Keenan, has called on Belfast City Council to put an end to threats hanging over pools at both the Shankill and Ballysillan Leisure Centres.
GLL Plans To Close Pool at Shankill Leisure Centre - Union
Management firm Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is planning to close the pool in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast, according to Unite the union. Unite Regional Officer, Michael Keenan, has called on Belfast City Council to put an end to threats hanging over pools at both the Shankill and Ballysillan Leisure Centres.
16 September 2016
Consultations Announced For Belfast Leisure Centre Redevelopment Plans
Consultation events have been announced by Belfast City Council on proposed designs for a number of leisure centre transformations across Belfast. The council is to invest £105 million in a Leisure Transformation Programme (LTP), to be developed over the next 10 years.
Consultations Announced For Belfast Leisure Centre Redevelopment Plans
Consultation events have been announced by Belfast City Council on proposed designs for a number of leisure centre transformations across Belfast. The council is to invest £105 million in a Leisure Transformation Programme (LTP), to be developed over the next 10 years.
06 March 2018
Work Continues On New Boulevard In Belfast
Construction work is continuing on a new boulevard in Belfast. The road will lead from the Boucher Road to the newly refurbished Olympia Leisure Centre and is part of the £21.75million being invested in the project. Belfast City Council is also urging the public to suggest a new name for the boulevard which is due to open at the end of May.
Work Continues On New Boulevard In Belfast
Construction work is continuing on a new boulevard in Belfast. The road will lead from the Boucher Road to the newly refurbished Olympia Leisure Centre and is part of the £21.75million being invested in the project. Belfast City Council is also urging the public to suggest a new name for the boulevard which is due to open at the end of May.
19 July 2023
Better Leisure Centres To Host Weekend Of Free Family Events
Belfast's Better leisure centres are set to host a series of free family activities to mark 30 years of GLL. Founded in 1993, GLL is the UK's largest public leisure and libraries co-operative and charitable social enterprise.
Better Leisure Centres To Host Weekend Of Free Family Events
Belfast's Better leisure centres are set to host a series of free family activities to mark 30 years of GLL. Founded in 1993, GLL is the UK's largest public leisure and libraries co-operative and charitable social enterprise.
30 October 2019
East Belfast Leisure Centre Almost Complete
Construction on a £20 million leisure centre in east Belfast is almost complete. Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre is set to open to the public this December on the site of the former Robinson Centre on Montgomery Road.
East Belfast Leisure Centre Almost Complete
Construction on a £20 million leisure centre in east Belfast is almost complete. Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre is set to open to the public this December on the site of the former Robinson Centre on Montgomery Road.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
