Corby Olympic Boxing Club - Saxilby Centre - Corby Borough Council

Open Decision Item 3
One Corby Policy Committee 13th November 2007
Corby Olympic Boxing Club / Saxilby Centre
SYNOPSIS
For Members to consider additional capital funding for Saxilby Centre now the decision has
been made not to demolish the Centre.
1. Relevant Background Details
Corby Olympic Boxing Club is operated as a devolved activity within the Council’s Saxilby
Centre. The centre had been identified for demolition under the regeneration programme for
the area, but recently the Council decided the Centre and other associated facilities will not
now be demolished.
The Boxing Club has operated for 20 years and plays an important role within the local
community and within the Borough, providing a popular sporting venue in particular for young
people. The Club can boast a wide range of service provision which includes many
community initiatives; including boxers and fitness participants from Poland, Russia and
South Africa and an active group of Asian Ladies taking part in the fitness programme. The
Club has also been working with Social Services with individuals with special needs, and has
developed healthy eating initiatives.
The Club is very highly respected in the world of boxing and it is hoped to develop the
educational opportunities in partnership through the Professional Boxers Association (PBA)
Director of Education and Training. This initiative is being fronted by Barry McGuigan, Ricky
Hatton and Mickey Cornwell so has a high prominence within the PBA. This could offer really
easy access to education for many young people who may have under achieved, who could
re-enter education by accessing sessions in a club in their own community / town.
However Saxilby Centre needs considerable improvements to meet necessary standards in
order for the club to deliver community and sporting activities and to compliment the
surrounding regeneration programme. The Council’s capital programme has allocated
£50,000 for major repairs to the floor. The existing floor is crumbling and damp has got
underneath. Technical Services undertook a full dilapidations report and the following repairs
were identified:
• Repairs to walls and ceilings
• Improving lighting and security guards to existing lighting
• Replace the whole floor ensuring future damp proofing.
• Improving toilets / shower facilities
• Boiler / heating upgrade
• Revamping kitchen
• Replacing fire doors
• Making good brickwork where required
• Installing pipe work/ drainage for proposed sauna
• Install new fire alarm
• Upgrade existing electrics
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2. Report
The area around the Saxilby Centre has been confirmed as being within the second phase of
the Kingswood Regeneration Programme. Corby Borough Council was liaising regularly with
members of the boxing club management committee and Councillors to progress the
relocation from the existing facility to a new identified site in a building on the edge of the
regeneration footprint but not affected by the redevelopment.
It has now been confirmed that the Centre will remain open and is not part of the
regeneration plans; costings have been provided for modernisation. The estimated capital
improvement costs are £100,000. A sum of £50,000 is within the capital programme for the
Centre and it is proposed to use a further £50,000 capital funding that was allocated to
Stephenson Way Community Centre.
A new Community Centre is under consideration for replacing the existing Stephenson
Community Centre within a proposed housing development in the area.
3. Options to be considered
Meetings took place between the Council and representatives of the boxing club
management committee plus the Amateur Boxing Association to explore in greater detail the
possibility of relocating to the new proposed site. The relocation package costs were
estimated at £362,000 for the boxing facility and the related community fitness suite. A
number of options were considered for relocating, including using Kingswood Neighbourhood
Centre, but for a number of reasons they were not suitable.
Without financial support from the Council, the poor state of the building will result in the club
having to close in the near future as the floor is crumbling and rising in places due to
dampness. The club has to date operated around the difficulties of the floor as it was thought
the club was moving to a new site. This is becoming more difficult and could not be justified if
the club is to remain on the site.
4. Issues to be taken into account:-
Policy Priorities
The Council is committed through its Pledges for 2007/08 to increase participation in active
sport and recreation by 600 people per year and encourage involvement from play to
podium. The Club is a well established, popular provider of sporting activities within the
community. Provision of public services for young people is also a priority for the Council;
working in partnership with the Club to enhance the facilities available will assist in the Club’s
work of providing both recreational and sporting activity.
Upgrading of the facility will compliment the Council’s regeneration agenda for the area and
improve facilities for not only the local residents but the wider Borough community.
Financial
£50,000 has already been agreed for the project with a request to transfer a further £50,000
from the existing capital programme for Stephenson Way Community Centre within the
Culture and Leisure five year programme.
The funding will only improve the interior of the facility as it is expected the developers
coming in to regenerate the area will ensure the centre is given a makeover on the outside to
blend in with the new future residential development.
Legal
Any procurement relating to the proposed upgrade of the facility will comply with the
Council’s approved Contracts Standing Orders.
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Performance Information
A Service Level Agreement is in place and usage information will be provided to the Council
on a regular basis.
Best Value
The principles of best value have been considered when looking at the options and project
upgrading.
Human Rights
None specific to the recommendation.
Equalities
The Club operates an equality policy and actively promotes this.
Community Safety
Engaging young people in activities gives pride in themselves and their environment. As the
club expands its client base more members of the local community forge new links.
5. Conclusion
The Club officials have worked in partnership with the Council in exploring the options to
avoid losing their long term home. The Club has always proven itself to be supportive and
understanding of the regeneration programme even though at times it may have proven
difficult and frustrating due to the uncertainties around any relocation and cost. Now that it
has been decided the centre is not to be demolished, investment of an estimated £100,000 is
required to upgrade the facility. These improvements will allow the club to continue to
develop and offer high quality services to an ever expanding client base.
6. Recommendation
i) That the Committee approve the reallocation of a further £50,000 capital funding from
Stephenson Way Community Centre for improvements to Saxilby Centre and to
authorise the tendering of an improvement programme up to the value of £100,000.
Background Papers
Notes of meetings between the Council and the Club
Plans for upgrade of existing facility
External Consultations
Amateur Boxing Association
Professional Boxing Association
List of Appendices
None
Officer to Contact
Peter Floody Principal Community Services Officer (Ext 4687)
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