Hengrove healthplex moves forward

Release Date:  24-Jul-2008

Councillors will meet on Thursday, 31 July  to select a partner to build and run a multi-million pound healthplex leisure complex at the heart of a regeneration scheme that will transform opportunities for residents in South Bristol.

The complex at Hengrove Park will feature a 50-metre swimming pool with booms and moveable flooring and a learner pool with a moveable floor. Its opening in 2010 is expected to help double the number of people taking up swimming in our city and to provide enough capacity to deliver the government’s new free swimming initiative.

The scheme would be the latest step forward in the delivery of the council’s successful swimming strategy. The strategy has already delivered a massive 16% rise in swimming across the city following the replacement of outdated and inaccessible pools with new, state-of-the-art facilities at Henbury and Horfield, plus the major refurbishment of the leisure centre at Easton.

As well as making a difference to swimming in the city, the ‘healthplex’ would also be a key element in Phase 1 of the wider Hengrove Park Regeneration Scheme. The development promises a new South Bristol Community Hospital; a new Skills Academy to help local people gain vital training, and a new business headquarters for a major employer, to retain and attract hundreds of local job opportunities.

Recognising the critical link between fitness and good health, the centre would work with the neighbouring community hospital - and with other local health services - to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce health inequalities in South Bristol.

All the new facilities would face onto a central plaza and there would be new cycle facilities, car parking and a bus terminus with improved public transport links. The city council and the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) are funding the infrastructure works, due to start on site in August.

At their meeting on 31 July, councillors will be advised that final tenders have been submitted by two bidders for:
· The design, build, funding and operation of the leisure centre complex for 25 years under the Private Finance Initiative
· The design and build of car parking facilities to serve Phase 1 of Hengrove Park and their operation for 25 years within the leisure centre PFI agreement
· The design and build of the central plaza – which the city council will then manage.

Councillors will be recommended to choose the ‘preferred bidder’ Bristol Active Ltd.

Subject to final planning approvals, work on the leisure complex will start in the spring of 2009 and it could open its doors to customers in autumn 2010.

Leader of the Council Cllr Helen Holland, said: “The Cabinet has a crucial decision to make when it meets next week. We have two very strong bidders – both with outstanding track records and both with bids of excellent quality.

“Hengrove Healthplex is an exciting and innovative development. It will become a showcase for the city and the region and we want to be sure our preferred bidder will deliver this ambitious development – to the highest standards of design and sustainability specifications, and that it is delivered on time and within budget.

“The Cabinet will be looking closely at the fine detail of the bidders’ proposals and I’m confident we will make the right decision.”

Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities and Culture, Cllr Rosalie Walker, added: “Once completed, the new complex will give the people of south Bristol access to first-class sports and swimming facilities rather than having to make do with the somewhat outdated, and inaccessible ones currently available.

“The council’s robust swimming strategy, which was supported by all political parties on the council, is certainly paying dividends. We have growing numbers of people who want to swim and when the healthplex opens with its two pools, we will be well placed to meet the further rise in demand for swimming, especially when the government’s free swimming initiative comes into place in 2012.

“Best of all, by linking the healthplex with the hospital we are putting the long-term health of local residents at the heart of this superb development.”

Author:   Helen Hewitt, tel. 922 2646

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