Decision details

The July 2020 Executive report E/20/08 – Revised MTFP – included savings proposals to close the Waterfront Gym subject to consultation.

Discussions with University Of Suffolk between July and October 2020 have considered how the Waterfront Gym could remain open and the savings target of £47,000 still be met. Principally this involved consideration of whether a viable alternative to a staffed gym could be found but it was concluded that there would be insufficient income from the gym – partly because of the impact of COVID-19 on the use of gyms as this, coupled with capital costs of works required to turn into a safe, staffless gym, meant that the Council’s costs would be higher not lower. As such it has not been possible to find a way to keep the gym open.

Staff and Students at the University of Suffolk will be able to access all IBC’s other sporting facilities for the same price as they were able to access the Waterfront Gym.

The Chief Operating Officer has considered the consultation responses, Equality Impact Assessment and financial information and reached the decision that the proposal should be implemented.

The University of Suffolk is progressing plans for alternative usage of the space occupied by the gym and the Council has agreed to vacate the premises on Tuesday 20th October to allow these to be implemented.

The Waterfront Gym will close with the Council vacating the premises on Tuesday 20^th October.

Reason: No viable alternative to a staffed gym could be found and the savings target of £47,000 be met. It was concluded that there would be insufficient income from the gym and with the cost of turning the gym into a safe, staffless gym would mean the Council’s costs would be higher not lower.