Plans for new leisure centre take step forward

The proposed new facility would replace the existing Richard Herrod Centre

Plans for a new leisure centre in Carlton have taken a step forward.

Gedling Borough Council's cabinet approved carrying out more feasibility work on the Active Carlton project on Thursday, which proposes a new facility on the site of the existing Richard Herrod Centre in Foxhill Road.

The Labour-run authority said the proposed new centre would replace both the Richard Herrod Centre and also Carlton Forum Leisure Centre, which would not close until the new facility had opened.

John Clarke, leader of Gedling Borough Council, said the proposed facility was an opportunity to create "much-needed" improvements to leisure provision in Carlton.

According to the council the proposed facility could include an eight-lane swimming pool, a teaching pool, a gym, an assisted exercise suite, studios, community rooms, a café, and a soft play centre.

The authority said the proposed facility would not include indoor bowls provision due to the "significant" additional cost.

It added it would work with Gedling Indoor Bowls Club, which currently uses the Richard Herrod Centre, to explore alternative options.

A report prepared for the meeting said leisure facilities in the borough run by the council were "ageing" and "increasingly expensive to maintain".

The council said a review identified the need for two new centres, in Arnold and Carlton, to meet the demands of a growing population.

A new facility in Arnold would be subject to a separate business case and cabinet report, the council said.