Catmose Sports Centre in Oakham to close

A town leisure centre will close at the end of March.

Rutland County Council has announced public access to Catmose Sports Centre in Oakham will stop because it cannot find anyone willing to operate the facility.

The council’s contract with Stevenage Leisure Ltd ends on March 31, and despite seeking a successor since April last year, none has come forward.

One key requirement of any future contract was that it run at a zero net cost to both Rutland County Council and Catmose College.

The existing contract with Stevenage Leisure Ltd was designed to do just that, with the exception of any costs for repairs.

But the covid pandemic and the ongoing energy crisis have forced Rutland County Council to provide Catmose Leisure Centre with significant financial support over the past three years.

The council says it can no longer afford this over an indefinite period.

Rutland County Council’s scrutiny committee stipulated at the start of the process that any future operator must abide by the zero net cost directive.

Research by the Local Government Association shows costs for operating leisure centres are set to increase by 240 per cent this year.

Therefore, general access to Catmose Sports Centre gym, fitness suites and sports hall will end on March 31.

There are about 900 members enrolled at the facility as well as a large number of casual users and members of other sports clubs who use the facilities.

Coun Marc Oxley (Ind and Green Group - Uppingham), cabinet member for communities at Rutland County Council, said: “The search for an operator to run Catmose Sports Centre has been extremely difficult.

"Although we’ve had a successful contract in place with our current provider for many years, the leisure sector is facing untold pressure because of the impact of covid and the rising cost of energy, which is pushing utility bills through the roof.

"In this context, it's believed that up to 40 per cent of council areas are now at risk of losing leisure centres or needing to reduce their leisure services.

“Rutland County Council is facing the same kind of pressure and our financial position is extremely challenging, as we work to close a sizeable funding gap caused by 10 per cent inflation and increased demand for services.

"This is not a decision we wanted to make, and we understand the impact it will have on people who currently use the centre.

"Sadly, in the absence of a commercial operator who can run a viable leisure service, the council is left with very little choice.”

Rutland County Council will continue working with Stevenage Leisure Ltd as the operator notifies existing members and users of Catmose Sports Centre.

The council is taking steps to make sure that individuals who access the centre as part of a GP exercise referral scheme can have their needs met through an alternative local provision.

The council is also working with partners to explore how access to leisure can be sustained in the current financial climate.