Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, has provided an update on Redlands and the current discussions around the future of the on-site sports centre.
“Last June, Weymouth College announced it is unable to continue funding all facilities at Redlands Community Sports Hub, which it leases from Dorset Council.
While the outdoor facilities are well-used, the buildings themselves are loss-making. This is diverting money away from the College’s primary purpose of education. As owner of the site, Dorset Council asked the College to find a new leaseholder that could continue providing services at Redlands.
Active Dorset is a not-for-profit Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), focussing on public engagement in physical activity. They have brought forward an excellent scheme which would hugely increase participation and community use of the outdoor facilities, like their Slades Park site in Bournemouth.
However, the proposed scheme suggests closing the existing building. Usage of the sports centre had dropped to 19% even before the pandemic, and the College is spending more than £200k every year to keep the building open. If the centre was closed many activities could be relocated from Redlands, but we accept that some would have no other place to go.
We have been listening closely to the conversation and are fully aware there is much community support for retaining the indoor services at Redlands, as well as some people who feel that no further public money should be spent on a loss-making facility.
However, Dorset Council is keen to allow the local community to develop an alternative proposal for the site before we reach the point where a final decision will need to be made.
There are many bodies and individuals who have input to this discussion, and it is impossible to develop plans simultaneously with all of them. Dorset Council intends to start speaking with the College and Dorset Councillors for Weymouth wards to support the development of an alternative plan for the indoor facilities. This group will be able to bring the perspectives of the local community to the development of an alternative proposal.
It’s important to remember that no decision on the future of Redlands has been made yet. While I strongly support, in principle, Active Dorset’s proposals for the outdoor facilities I also respect their decision not to take on the indoor services.
If the indoor services at Redlands can be placed in the hands of those who believe they present an opportunity to benefit residents locally, Dorset Council is keen to explore this option before any decision is made.
We will continue talking to the College and other key stakeholders about the potential for a new partnership to be created to take on the building, while Active Dorset can carry on developing their exciting plans for the popular outdoor facilities that should see huge benefits for the local community.
Dorset Council and Weymouth College will keep everyone updated as discussions continue. I remain optimistic that we can all work together to find a solution that works for the local community.”
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