Wadebridge Leisure Centre (FOWLC) Community Interest Company will take over the running of Wadebridge Leisure Centre from September 1, 2022.
The Community Interest Company will take over the site from GLL, after working together during a transition period.
Welcoming the news, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for customers Richard Pears said: “The CIC has put in great efforts and worked with us to ensure that the leisure centre in Wadebridge remains open.”
The Council committed to working with community groups and organisations to find a financially sustainable way to keep Wadebridge Leisure operating after a request from Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), the social enterprise company that runs many of Cornwall’s Leisure Centres, to change its contract with the Council.
The Council invited local groups and organisations to come forward and work alongside the Council to keep the leisure centre in Wadebridge open and operating.
Initial expressions of interest that were fully evaluated for viability and progressed to a business case and final agreement.
Cllr Richard Pears, portfolio holder for customers added:
“No one wants to see leisure centres close. We have explored every option to avoid that, and all parties have worked hard to find a way forward.”
Scott Mann, MP for North Cornwall said:
"Firstly I would like to thank all the local residents who helped campaign so hard for Wadebridge Leisure Centre to remain open. I'm very pleased that our current Cornwall Council has devolved something that Parish and Town councils actually want rather than pushing stuff on them they had no interest in. The previous Lib-Dem run council leadership have a lot to answer for; their badly drawn up and weak leisure contract is responsible for the last twelve months of uncertainty. I will be working to ensure this community asset is successful and look forward to meeting with the Community Interest Group as soon as possible."
The Community Interest Company said:
“FOWLC Community Interest Company would like to thank the leisure centre staff, council officers, the school and wider community for their support in getting to this stage. We are excited to have the opportunity to deliver our vision for a community Sports and Leisure Centre for the people of Wadebridge and surrounding villages from 1st of September. Throughout August we will be shadowing GLL whilst we commence recruitment to grow the team, contracting with centre hirers and scheduling some initial changes towards an environmentally and financially sustainable centre - a busy time ahead”
.James Curry from GLL said:
“This decision is good news for Wadebridge Leisure Centre customers and our hard-working staff. We will provide the necessary support to the new operators during the handover period and wish them every success in the future.”
