On 29th November Cranleigh Society held its public meeting and AGM. Councillor Liz Townsend BEM spoke about many topics including the work to bring a wonderful eco-friendly new leisure centre to Cranleigh. She said:
The new Cranleigh Leisure Centre budget of just over £31 million has been approved. The Project Team is in place. The LC will be built to Passivhaus standards which is an environmental standard and means that energy usage will be very low – minimum savings of 50-60%. It will be self funding over the term of the project which Waverley expect to be 40 years plus.
There will be consultations. Please follow this link to find out more on Waverley Borough Council’s web site: click here
As you scroll down the page you will see there is now a public consultation which ends 14th January 2024. click here
The new Leisure Centre will be built in the Village Way car park in front of the original LC – a build period of 18 months. Waverley realise that there will be disruption in the Village Way car park but they will do their best to minimise it.
It is important for us all to realise that not only do we need a new leisure centre but that it will also increase the footfall in Cranleigh boosting our High Street.
The smaller swimming pool will be bigger than it is now with a moving floor. The small pool will be used for adults with medical conditions (as well as for children’s swimming lessons) as they require a warmer water temperature.
Waverley’s plan is for there to be therapy sessions and classes in the warmer water for those with medical conditions.
At Waverley Borough Council full meeting on 12/12/2023 it was announced they would be borrowing £26m after announcing a surplus on spending. How is the Leisure centre project being funded?
Is there going to be an eight lane,25 metre pool As well as the pool being upgraded for people with medical conditions ?
This needs to accommodate the sub-aqua club, and all the great work it does for Scouts, Cubs,Guides,Brownies etc, and the wider community.
Cranleigh Sub-Aqua Club currently conducts its pool training away from Cranleigh. It would be ideal if we could restart our scuba training activities in a Cranleigh pool again. We thoroughly look forward to continuing to support the local community with a wonderful sport open to all, and be fully based in Cranleigh once more.
Will this mean a smaller car park once the new centre is open? Where will the Thursday market be located?