New £600,000 project for Saxon Pool

Members of Central Beds Council’s executive committee agreed to provide capital funding for the work at a meeting on Tuesday (October 2).

Proposals for the Biggleswade leisure centre include plans to refurbish the reception area and add a new two-court sports hall and first floor health spa.

The latter could include rooms for massage and body treatments, a sauna, steam room and ice rooms.

Councillor Brian Spurr, executive member for sustainable communities at Central Beds Council said: “Our leisure facilities are key community health resources for our residents to engage in regular physical activity.

“This investment brings these facilities right up to date, adds capacity to meet the additional demand for fitness and sporting facilities and ensures these centres offer a high quality experience.

“Now that the funding is agreed we can look forward to implementing the improvements as soon as possible.”

At the meeting Mr Spurr was quizzed about funding for the programme.

Councillor Jane Lawrence asked why the figure of £600,000 was being presented when it had previously been quoted as £650,000. Mr Spurr replied that the original sum was an estimated figure that the council had previously been working on.

Councillor Tricia Turner said she welcomed the improvements at the centre but asked for an assurance that sun beds would not 
be included in the health spa.

The centre celebrated its 15th birthday in February this year, and now caters for more than 300,000 visits a year.

The facility was opened in February 1997 by swimmer and Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew. Since then a series of improvements have been made.