Next steps for new Bury St Edmunds Western Way leisure centre to be discussed by West Suffolk Council cabinet

The next steps in delivering a new leisure centre in a Suffolk town is due to be discussed by a council cabinet.

On Tuesday, March 14, West Suffolk councillors will decide whether the Bury St Edmunds Western Way scheme is capable of meeting necessary checks before tendering for the main construction contract goes ahead this summer.

The plans will replace the nearly 50-year-old leisure centre which will be part of a new community hub, similar to the award-winning Mildenhall Hub.

The first phase will see a state-of-the-art fun pool and soft-play delivered, as well as an eight-lane main pool, a large learner pool and sports hall, studios and a new gym.

The site will also include a small health and wellbeing centre, a pre-school and the West Suffolk branch of the Suffolk Archive.

This comes after, in December last year, the council agreed to reduce the budget for the project to reflect the new phased approach.

The report going to the cabinet next week will confirm it is capable of meeting the first two stages of tests, with the latest benchmark information suggesting the agreed budget of £61 million for the total phase one scheme is realistic and good value.

The budget will mean the scheme doesn't require finance pressure for local taxpayers over the next 40 years, as the net borrowing cost to the council can be met from existing budgets or new income, after taking into account third party contributions.

The latest cost plans are already within 3 per cent of the target figure and the report has also set out an action plan, agreed with the preferred contractor, Morgan Sindall, to keep the cost of the project within the budget.

A further budget of £8.25 million was also agreed in December 2022 for works to the remaining half of the Western Way site pending phase 2 of the project, which will include repairs so it can continue to be used alongside phase 1 but also adding large numbers of solar panels on the rest of the roof.

Cllr Jo Rayner, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Community Hubs, West Suffolk Council, said: "The report confirms that going ahead with the Western Way project is good value for money and remains the right thing to do for taxpayers and everyone who uses these facilities.

"The current financial climate is challenging. However, with the right measures in place and a commitment from all the partners working on the project, including our preferred contractor, Morgan Sindall, we are as confident as we could be at this still early stage of the project that it can be delivered within budget.

"By adopting the phased approach, the council can deliver much needed new leisure facilities in West Suffolk, which will significantly benefit residents’ and visitors’ physical and mental wellbeing."

Morgan Sindall, the preferred contractor after first stage tendering, said: “We are committed to and are focused on the Western Way Scheme being delivered on budget.

"Our collaborative working relationships with the consultant teams at all levels will support key engagement and cooperation.

"We are dedicated to completing the remainder of the design to budget and de-risking the next Gateway to ensure successful financial conversion of the Western Way Development."