Decision details

Ransomes Sports Centre has grass pitches for football and cricket, a Bowls Green and a Pavilion with communal space, changing facilities, toilets and kitchen.

The grounds and pavilion are available to hire, which account for the majority of all attendances to the facility (c. 85% total usage) prior to 2024. Other uses of the facility are from IBC hosting commercial fitness classes and health and wellbeing sessions (Feel Good Suffolk, Strength & Balance), which commenced in 2023 and have continued to grow.

Since IBC have begun delivering activities from the facility, occupancy has risen from 18% (2023) to 27% (projected 2024). This has been enabled by the growth of Feel-Good Suffolk healthy behaviour sessions, strength & balance classes, low impact fitness and Breathewell classes. All classes have further room for growth in 2025 and beyond.

The facility is being financially subsidised by the Council and an increase in the fees and charges is necessary to significantly reduce the financial subsidy.

To increase charges sufficiently to ensure that the Centre at least breaks even, as detailed below.

Reason:

to ensure that the council is achieving full cost recovery and the Sports Centre at least breaks even.