Councils agree building-swap deal that could pave the way for refurbishments
Medway Centre, in Huntingdon. - Credit: Archant
After years of negotiations, Huntingdon Town Council has voted to agree a deal between the authority and Huntingdonshire District Council for the exchange of buildings that will allow for redevelopment of key sites.
Under the agreement, the town authority will be given land the Medway Centre sits on and the district council will now be handed the freehold of the One Leisure site in Huntingdon.
“I’m very glad that we have now come to an agreement with the town council,” said leader of the district council, Councillor Robin Howe.
The freehold of the Medway Centre land will be transferred to the town council and will be given £300,000 to improve council assets.
The town council has also been offered a loan of £800,000 which can be used for the development of a new community centre if a decision is made to sell off the Medway
Centre.
Councillor Tom Sanderson, chairman of the leisure and community services committee, said: “It is a great deal as it allows the Medway Centre to either be refurbished or for us to build a new centre.
Most Read
- 1 Charming 'cakery' selling sweet treats opens in Ramsey
- 2 New bridal shop is childhood dream for Michelle
- 3 Covid-19 'virtual ward' will help patients recover at home
- 4 Petition calls on county council to reject waste incinerator
- 5 Lack of NHS dentists see people resorting to 'Victorian' teeth pulling
- 6 Trainee chef reaches finals of national competition
- 7 Community help plant new trees in St Neots park
- 8 Cigarette butt in stolen car puts burglar behind bars
- 9 Fake Dyson Airwrap and Primark baby toy among recent recalled items
- 10 Bakery and baking school opens after Crowdfunding push
“I think it would be great if we could have a new centre, a new build, it would be great for the community.”
Cllr Sanderson added that if a new build was to go ahead it would allow for the hall to be energy efficient and built with modern facilities. For district council members, the agreement is a chance to plan a refurbishment of the One Leisure Gym, in St Peter’s Road.
Cllr Howe said: “The One Leisure facility in Huntingdon is very dated; it is not all fit for purpose. The investment we have to make is between £600,000 to £800,000 to create a state of the art facility.”
