YEOVIL NEWS: Councillors are serious about Westland Leisure Complex takeover

COUNCILLORS have voted in favour of giving “serious consideration” to taking over and running the facilities at the Westland Leisure Complex in Yeovil.

Members of South Somerset District Council’s District Executive committee this morning (Thursday, September 3, 2015) agreed to investigate more fully the possibility of taking on the management of the complex which is scheduled to close at the end of this month.

AgustaWestland and its parent company Finmeccanica announced earlier this year that due to financial implications it was to close the long running sports and leisure complex.

But the district council, along with partners at Yeovil Town Council, is hoping that it will not be the total end of the road for the Westland sporting and conferencing facilities.

A large number of people from the various user-groups attended today’s meeting and spoke passionately about their desire to see the facilities remain in place.

But some councillors were concerned about the hefty financial package which will be needed to refurbish the facilities to modern-day use.

A detailed report quickly put together by the council’s assistant director for health and well-being, Steve Joel, says that the proposed refurbishments needed would cost in the region of £2.5-million.

Although District Executive members have agreed to support the idea of taking on the complex, it is just the first part of a series of complex meetings and negotiations.

More on this story later….

Tags:
News.