Leisure Facilities
Strategy
Wrexham County Borough Council
Final Version
13 November 2013
1
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Contents
1.
Our brief
2.
Facilities overview and mapping
3.
Review of the physical infrastructure
4.
Usage analysis
5.
Financial performance
6.
Supply and demand of leisure facilities
7.
Consultation
8.
New Facility Feasibility
9.
Recommendations
2
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Our brief
•
Wrexham County Borough Council directly operates a portfolio of 11 sports facilities. Against the backdrop of targeted
budget savings across the Council the cost of operating its leisure portfolio has been brought into sharper focus. The
Sports Consultancy has been appointed to undertake a Leisure Facilities Strategy to identify the most appropriate mix of
facilities, taking into consideration likely community need, current usage and the net costs of operating and maintaining
the facilities.
•
The current portfolio consists of 5 community use facilities and 6 dual use facilities (which are located at and shared by
schools):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Waterworld (community wet and dry centre)
Plas Madoc Leisure Centre (community wet and dry centre)
Chirk (community wet and dry centre)
Gwyn Evans (community wet and dry centre)
Queensway (athletics track, grass pitch and dry centre)
Clywedog (dual use wet and dry centre)
Rhosnesni (dual use wet and dry centre)
Ruabon (dry only)
Morgan Llwyd (dry only)
Darland (dry only)
Grango Synthetic Turf Pitch
3
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Our brief
•
The current net annual cost of operating the portfolio (excluding depreciation) was £1.8m in the 2012/13 financial year.
•
In tandem with the development of this Leisure Facilities Strategy, The Sports Consultancy has also undertaken a New
Leisure Facility Feasibility on behalf of the Council. This has recommended the replacement of both Plas Madoc Leisure
Centre and Waterworld on a site currently occupied by the Crown Buildings in the centre of Wrexham town centre.
Together, these two current leisure facilities cost almost £900,000 to operate (or £1.2m including depreciation). Plas
Madoc has reached the end of its useful life and is not considered fit for purpose; whereas Waterworld’s potential for its
required extension and improvement is limited on its current footprint due to boundary constraints.
•
The recommendations that form part of this Facilities Strategy take into consideration:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The physical condition of each of the leisure facilities
Future repairs and maintenance
Actual usage of the facilities
Consultation with user groups and stakeholders
The ongoing cost of operating the facilities
Location and catchments
Supply and demand for leisure facilities in the County Borough
Potential for a new leisure centre.
4
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Water
world
Wrexham
portfolio
Clywe
dog
Plas
Madoc
Wrexham has a total of 12 public leisure facilities serving a County Borough
Gwyn
Evans
Darland
Morgan
Lloyd
population of 130,000. This portfolio comprises:
•
5 Council (community) facilities (indicated in red)
•
6 dual-use (school) facilities (green)
•
1 tennis centre, already outsourced (blue)
Queens
way
The Tennis Centre is operated by a Trust and falls outside the scope of this strategy.
Chirk
Ruabon
Grango
5
Rhosnesni
Tennis
Centre
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Scope of
facilities
Main Pool
Council Facilities
Water
World
Plas
Madoc
33m
Chirk
Gwyn
Evans
25m
25m
25
24
Dual Use Facilities
Queensway
Clywedog
Ruabon
20m
Rhosnesni
Darland
Morgan
Llywd
4
4+1
Grango
AWP
20m
Leisure Pool
Learner Pool
Fitness Suite (stations)
40
48
Fitness Studio
1
1
40
23
1
Health Suite
Sports Halls (courts)
4
Café (seats)
43
60
Vending (machines)
7
7
Squash Courts
1
4
3
5
4+1
4
3
2
4+1
1
2
Gymnastics Hall
Climbing Wall
AWP
3/4 size
Mini
MUGA
Grass Pitches
400m Athletics Track
Physio Room
Soft Play Area
Skate park
6
Mini
Full size
Full size
Full size
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Facility mapping
• The map illustrates a 2-mile radii
around each of the Wrexham
leisure facilities. This indicates that
Wrexham seems to be
overprovided in terms of the
number of leisure facilities. We
have used a 2-mile radius as 80% of
a facility’s users is typically drawn
from within a 2-mile catchment.
With the exception of Darland, all
dual use facilities’ catchments
overlap with those of the
community use leisure centres.
7
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Facility mapping
Swimming Pools
Waterworld (25m x 6 lane)
Plas Madoc (20m x 3 lane)
Gwyn Evans (25m x 4 lane)
Chirk (25m x 4 lane)
Clywedog (20m x 4 lane)
Rhosnesni (20m x 4 lane)
8
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Facilities Mapping
Swimming Pools Mapping
2 mile radius catchment
Blue: community pool
Red: school-based dual use
This indicates that there is
considerable overlap in catchment
between Clywedog, Rhosnesni and
Waterworld in the centre of
Wrexham.
9
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Facilities Mapping
Swimming pool location – proximity analysis
Relative proximity - Wrexham Pools (in miles - quickest
driving route)
Waterworld
Clywedog
Rhosnesni
Plas Madoc
Chirk
Gwyn Evans
Mean
Waterworld
-
1.5
1.0
8.2
11.1
3.6
5.1
Clywedog
1.5
-
2.2
6.3
9.3
3.4
4.5
Rhosnesni
1.0
2.2
-
10.0
13.1
3.2
5.9
Plas Madoc
8.2
6.3
10.0
-
5.1
8.4
7.6
Chirk
11.1
9.3
13.1
5.1
-
11.4
10.0
Gwyn Evans
3.6
3.4
3.2
8.4
11.4
-
6.0
•This indicates that there are two swimming pools (Clywedog and Rhosnesni within 1.5 miles of
Waterworld and three within 3.6 miles.
•The nearest alternative pool to Plas Madoc is Chirk, 5.1 miles away.
10
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Facilities
Observations and key issues
•
On the evidence of the location and mapping analysis it appears that the following facilities are
located within the same catchments and will potentially be competing for the same users:
 Swimming pools: Rhosnesni and Clywedog are located circa 1 mile from Waterworld
 Health & fitness gyms: Queensway gym and Clywedog gym are both located circa 1 mile
from Waterworld
11
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Condition surveys
•
Visual inspections of all 11 leisure facilities were undertaken in the summer 2013. The Architects AFLS&P reviewed Plas
Madoc and Waterworld, whereas the Council’s team focused on the remaining 9 facilities. These inspections highlighted
the current condition of the facilities and identified any works required in the immediate, short, medium and long term
timescales. These were not detailed, intrusive condition surveys and further work should be done to further investigate
some of the issues highlighted in more detail.
•
The condition surveys are appended to the Facility Feasibility Report and an overview is detailed within the main body of
that report. In summary, however, the cost of the work identified is £2.86m, the majority of which (£1.7m) is related to
Plas Madoc.
•
We have estimated that the Council is responsible for 96% of the cost of the maintenance, repairs and replacement,
representing a cost of £2.74m (based on the assumption that the Council is responsible for the structure of the facilities,
with the non-structural responsibilities split on a 50:50 basis with the school). The remaining £0.13m should be payable by
the dual use schools under the terms of the agreements between the Council and the schools.
Immediate
Council's estimated share of costs
Schools' estimated share of costs
2 years
3-5 years
5 years
as % of total
£337,375
£860,025
£1,440,725
£100,000
£2,738,125
96%
£1,375
£23,525
£101,225
£0
£126,125
4%
12
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Condition surveys
• Plas Madoc accounts for the vast majority (at 58%) of the total identified costs. As the analysis later in this report will
confirm, the facility only accounts for 20% of total usage as a proportion of total usage across the portfolio.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Plas Madoc
Waterworld
Chirk
Gwyn Evans
Queensway
Clywedog
Ruabon
Rhosnesni
Darland
Morgan Llywd
Grango
Total
Condition survey - Cost
2 years
3-5 years
44%
60%
0%
0%
27%
6%
1%
1%
8%
10%
2%
6%
4%
0%
1%
6%
8%
7%
1%
3%
2%
1%
100%
100%
£883,550
£1,541,950
Immediate
77%
4%
18%
0%
0%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
£338,750
• The identified works by facility are set out over the following pages.
13
5 years
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
£100,000
58%
1%
14%
1%
8%
4%
1%
3%
6%
2%
1%
100%
£2,864,250
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Condition surveys
Facility
1 Plas Madoc
Year built
Pool 1979,
Dryside 1983
Condition
Very poor
2 Waterworld 1970s (1995
refurb)
3 Chirk
1997 (2010
refurb)
Fair
4 Gwyn Evans 1985 (1993
refurb; 2010
extension)
Good
Good
Immediate
Cost Description
£20,000 Store roof
£15,000 Hall store
£95,000 Hall ceiling
£30,000 Basement (DDA)
£100,000 New lift (DDA)
£260,000 Sub total
£15,000 Roof
£15,000 Sub total
£1,000 Drainage
£25,000 Pool
£10,000 Sauna
£25,000 Tiling
£61,000 Sub total
£0 Sub total
Work required
2 years
3-5 years
Cost Description
Cost Description
£15,000 Rooflights
£250,000 Hall roof
£20,000 Hall floor
£300,000 Cladding
£250,000 Wet changing
£50,000 Bar & café decoration
£80,000 Sauna & steamroom
£300,000 Filtration & pipes
£25,000 Hall wall
£25,000 Boilers
£390,000 Sub total
£925,000 Sub total
£tbc Pool tank
£0 £0 Sub total
£0 Sub total
£100,000 Fencing
£100,000 Synthetic turf pitch
£10,000 Windows
£21,000 Fascias
£50,000 Slate roof
£8,000 Roof
£20,000 Decoration
£32,000 DDA compliance
£241,000 Sub total
£100,000 Sub total
£12,000 Roof
£5,000 Fascias
£5,000 Decoration
£12,000 Sub total
£10,000 Sub total
14
5 years
Cost Description
£100,000 MUGA resurface
£100,000 Sub total
£0 £0 Sub total
£0 -
£0 Sub total
Further DDA works may be
required but not yet costed
£0 Sub total
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Condition surveys
Facility
Year built
Condition
5 Queensway Main building Good
1958; Track 1985,
Stand 1992
6 Clywedog
1971 (2004
refurb)
Fair
7 Ruabon
2003
Good
8 Rhosnesni
1972 (2004
refurb)
Good
Immediate
Cost Description
£0 Sub total
£0 None
£0 Sub total
£2,000 Entrance ramp
£2,000 Sub total
£0 Sub total
Work required
2 years
3-5 years
Cost Description
Cost Description
£15,000 Car park
£15,000 Stand
£10,000 Fencing
£115,000 Internal finishes
£10,000 Track
£25,000 Decoration
£10,000 Gym floor
£2,000 Stairs
£30,000 Roof
£75,000 Sub total
£157,000 Sub total
£15,000 Fencing
£80,000 Wetside tiling
£500 Roof
£15,000 Decoration
£2,000 Ceiling tiles
£150 Deep clean
£17,500 Sub total
£95,150 Sub total
£300 Doors
£500 Car park
£20,000 Roof
£1,000 5 aside court
£250 Cleaning
£11,500 Changing rooms
£32,050 Sub total
£1,500 Sub total
£10,000 Pool
£300 Doors
£60,000 Internal finishes
£1,000 Flooring
£25,000 Decoration
£500 Tiling
£10,000 Sub total
£86,800 Sub total
15
5 years
Cost Description
Further DDA works may be
required but not yet costed
£0 Sub total
Further DDA works may be
required but not yet costed
£0 Sub total
£0 Sub total
Further DDA works may be
required but not yet costed
£0 Sub total
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Condition surveys
Work required
Facility
9 Darland
Year built
Condition
Gym 1958 (1987 Fair
refurb); Sports
hall 1996
10 Morgan
Llywd
Gym 1958;
Fair
Sports Hall 1971
11 Grango
Not provided
Immediate
Cost Description
£250 Flooring
£250 Sub total
£500 Wall
£500 Sub total
Fair
£0 Sub total
£338,750 Immediately
2 years
Cost Description
£500 Car park
£6,000 Gym floor
£50,000 Gym walls
£10,000 Windows
£6,000 Decoration
£72,500 Sub total
£1,000 Tennis court
£500 Wall
£3,000 Windows
£8,000 Gym floor
£12,500 Sub total
£20,000 Fencing
£1,000 Flagstones
£21,000 Sub total
£883,550 Within 2 years
Council's estimated share of costs
£337,375 Immediately
£860,025 Within 2 years
Schools' estimated share of costs
£1,375 Immediately
£23,525 Within 2 years
*assumes Council is responsible for 100% of structure of dual use facilities and 50% of doors, floors etc
16
3-5 years
Cost Description
£3,000 Fencing
£30,000 Roof
£80,000 Internal finishes
£113,000 Sub total
£1,000 Fascias
£30,000 Roof
£10,000 Decoration
£41,000 Sub total
£2,000 Soffits & fascias
£500 Flooring
£10,000 Decoration
£12,500 Sub total
5 years
Cost Description
Further DDA works may be
required but not yet costed
£0 Sub total
Further DDA works may be
required but not yet costed
£0 Sub total
£0 Sub total
£1,541,950 Within 3-5 years
£100,000 After 5 years
£1,440,725 Within 3-5 years
£101,225 Within 3-5 years
£100,000 After 5 years
£0 After 5 years
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Condition surveys
Potential additional costs
• We should point out that improvements related to DDA compliance have not been costed in, save for the Plas
Madoc and Chirk facilities, so total costs could be higher than presented here.
• Also, pool-related leaks were identified at Waterworld, but as the void under the pool is inaccessible, it was not
possible to either identify or cost a solution. The Council’s liability of £2.7m is therefore considered to be the
minimum that should be budgeted for.
• Having reviewed the items identified within the condition surveys, we would consider it very unlikely that the
expenditure would lead to any improvement in the net-revenue generating capability of the portfolio.
Emerging recommendations and key issues arising from Condition Surveys
• Plas Madoc is considered to have reached the end of its designed life and spending £1.7m on the
recommended work is not considered good value for money.
• Moreover, regardless of the current condition of the facilities, the sheer size of the portfolio necessitates
significant annual investment in terms of maintenance, repair and replacement of assets.
17
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage analysis
• Waterworld is the County Borough’s most important leisure facility in terms of the level of usage it attracts (almost 400,000
per annum and 35% of the total). Plas Madoc attracts over 220,000, or 20% of the total usage. Together, the 6 dual use
facilities generate almost 100,000 visits, or just under 9% of the total. The dual use centres account for just 8.8% of total
usage, whilst representing 55% of the physical portfolio.
Venue
Visits (2012-13)
% of Total
Waterworld
394,106
35.3%
Plas Madoc LC
223,047
20.0%
Gwyn Evans
166,275
14.9%
Chirk
138,709
12.4%
Queensway
97,115
8.7%
Clywedog
32,868
2.9%
Ruabon
19,904
1.8%
Morgan Llwyd
17,447
1.6%
Rhosnesni
12,108
1.1%
Darland
11,552
1.0%
Grango
4,199
0.4%
1,117,330
100.0%
Total Visits
18
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage analysis
Introduction
• This section details the usage of each of the facilities in terms of health & fitness, swimming and sports halls visits. This
helps understand the relative importance of each facility and the extent of their contribution to delivering the Council’s
leisure services.
Health & Fitness
• There are 200 health and fitness stations (e.g. treadmill, bikes, resistance trainers) spread over 6 of the Council’s leisure
facilities.
• Our analysis of the usage of these gyms indicates the following:
1.
With the exception of Waterworld, the other gyms are not well-used. The average hourly peak in 2012/13 in
terms of number of users is highest at Waterworld (14 users), representing an average of 35% of operating
capacity (14 users, 40 stations).
2.
Plas Madoc attracts an average peak hourly attendance of 9 users, representing just 19% of capacity.
3.
Usage at Queensway, Chirk and Gwyn Evans is 17% and below, attracting a peak hourly usage of just 4
people each.
4.
Clywedog School gym appears to be almost completely redundant in terms of a community leisure facility. It
attracts very little community usage - the average peak usage per hour is just 1 person per hour.
19
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Health & fitness – peak hourly gym usage
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Sundays
Peak Time No.
5pm
5pm
5pm
7am
7am
9am
9am
Waterworld
people Av.hourly peak
28
15
29
16
28
16
23
15
23
15
19
10
20
10
Peak Time No.
5pm
5pm
5pm
5pm
5pm
10am
10am
Plas Madoc
people Av.hourly peak
21
12
25
11
22
11
20
9
13
9
10
6
12
6
14
Number of fitness stations
Average hourly peak as % stations
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Sundays
Peak Time No.
6pm
7pm
6pm
6pm
9am
9am
12pm
9
4
40
48
22
19%
17%
Peak Time No.
5pm
5pm
10am
9am
9am
9am
10am
4
Average hourly peak as % stations
Queensway
people Av.hourly peak
9
4
9
5
9
4
11
5
6
3
7
3
6
3
35%
Chirk
people Av.hourly peak
7
4
7
4
7
4
6
4
6
4
4
3
5
3
Number of fitness stations
Peak Time No.
5pm
5pm
5pm
6pm
9am
9am
9am
Gwyn Evans
people Av.hourly peak
8
4
11
5
7
4
7
4
7
3
5
2
6
3
4
Peak Time No.
6pm
6pm
6pm
6pm
6pm
Clywedog
people Av.hourly peak
3
1
3
2
3
2
2
1
2
1
1
25
24
23
15%
15%
6%
20
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Health & Fitness
• Whilst the usage at Gwyn Evans and Chirk is low, the facilities do nevertheless serve distinct catchments.
Queensway, and Clywedog however, are located within circa 1 mile of Waterworld and serve the same catchment.
Ideally, the stations at Queensway and Clywedog should be amalgamated with those on the Waterworld site,
albeit the physical constraints at Waterworld currently rules this out as an option (unless a new facility is built).
• Closing the gym would allow further staff reductions to be made at Queensway as it could then be managed
remotely by staff at the new facility (we would suggest a full time team would not be required to manage the
stadium).
• NW Crusaders have said that the Queensway facility would be enhanced by the availability of a team/analysis
room. The gym could therefore be converted to a more appropriate use at very little cost.
• The Children’s Gym (20 fitness stations) could be relocated to a school. Although we have not yet received the
usage data for this facility, it is likely that it would be better utilised located in a more accessible venue.
21
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Swimming pool usage
•The number of pool visits per annum across the portfolio appears to have increased by 12% since 2009.
•Waterworld accounts for circa 50% of all swimming usage, Plas Madoc c24% and the dual use sites just 4.6%.
Venue
Mar-11
Mar-12
Mar-13
3 yr
Average
%
Waterworld
192,721
192,741
186,189
190,550
50.5%
Plas Madoc
87,623
86,967
97,317
90,636
24.0%
Gwyn Evans
27,101
45,603
57,289
43,331
11.5%
Chirk
32,859
26,927
47,109
35,632
9.4%
Clywedog
16,431
11,737
14,775
14,314
3.8%
Rhosnesni
5,000
2,372
2,123
3,165
0.8%
361,735
366,347
404,802
377,628
100.0%
Total Visits
22
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Swimming pool – usage analysis
• Whilst pool usage at Waterworld appears to have declined 12% over the past 3 years, a recent survey was
undertaken of the pool users which showed that 40% did not have a valid ticket. Swimming lessons numbers
have grown over the years whilst adult and junior attendances have reduced. Anecdotally and from occasional
complaints from customers, the pool seems to be less accessible due to the pool space taken up by increasing
lessons. Also in 2011 the slides were closed, rapids & bubble pool (the latter since reintroduced as a result of
the use of technology) closed until 4 pm each day Monday to Friday in term time to reduce expenditure. WW
used to offer the widest range of free swimming time of all the facilities. In the last 2 years forced changes have
reduced the free swimming time available and consequently free swimming numbers have reduced
substantially when compared with other sites.
• Plas Madoc appeared to have a particularly good year in 2012/13. The driver for this is not clear, although the
summer weather was bad in 2012 and new lockers were installed improving the changing area.
23
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Swimming pool – usage analysis
• Rhosnesni pool usage has declined substantially since 2009. During the financial year 2011 - all public
swimming and swimming lessons were stopped as a result of a change in the operation down to one supervisor
lone working. The pool attracts an average of just 40 swimmers per week, or 8 per weekday. These could be
accommodated elsewhere if the pool closed to public use.
• Clywedog benefitted from the transfer of the swimming programmes and some block bookings from Gwyn
Evans. Then with increased bookings and better recording, usage numbers improved in the year to March 2013.
• Chirk – usage has increased significantly (albeit from a low base) since 2009. In 2011/12 the boiler was replaced
and the 2012/13 increase versus the previous year was due to better data capture and recording. The opening
of Oswestry Leisure Centre does not appear to have affected usage., indicating that it attracts a very local
catchment.
• Gwyn Evans reopened in January 2009 after a major refurbishment and then gradually over the years improved
programmed activities and more bookings has increased usage figures. Again, a lot of usage had been missed
due to things not being recorded through the booking system properly prior to 2012/13.
24
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Swimming pool – programming
• Whilst there are six swimming pools
serving the Wrexham population –
which we would maintain would be too
many compared to similar catchments it is worthwhile understanding the
specific roles each facility plays in terms
of swim programming.
• Wrexham appears to offer a balanced
programme of swimming across its
portfolio.
25
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Swimming pool – programming
• The majority of public usage at the dual
use sites is taken up by club hire and
classes. There is no public swimming
offered at either of these facilities. It is
worth exploring with Clywedog whether
the primary school swimming lessons
hosted by Plas Madoc could be
accommodated by the school during
school hours. Chirk would also be a good
alternative candidate to host primary
school swimming if Plas Madoc were to
close.
26
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Swimming pool – Plas Madoc School Usage
• Plas Madoc is used by 7 Wrexham primary schools to deliver their swimming programmes. In the event Plas
Madoc is closed, it appears most appropriate for these schools to use their next closest venues, which will be
either Clywedog or Chirk:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
School
Acrefair
Rhosymedre
Ruabon St Mary's
Maes y Llan
Ysgol Hooson
Maes y Mynedd
Pen y Lan
Average
Travel to Plas Madoc
0.7m
1 minute
0.9m
3 minutes
1.2m
3 minutes
1.4m
4 minutes
2.4m
8 minutes
2.9m
10 minutes
3.3m
8 minutes
1.8m
5.3 minutes
Travel to nearest alternative pool
3.8m
10 minutes (Clywedog)
4.1m
9 minutes
(Chirk)
4.5m
9 minutes
(Chirk)
4.8m
10 minutes
(Chirk)
4.1m
11 minutes (Clywedog)
3.8m
10 minutes (Clywedog)
6.3m
12 minutes
(Chirk)
4.5m 10.1 minutes
Increase in drivetime
9 minutes
6 minutes
6 minutes
6 minutes
3 minutes
0 minutes
4 minutes
4.9 minutes
• The average drivetime to Plas Madoc for these 7 schools is 5.3 minutes (1.8 miles). Moving these schools to
alternative pools will, on average, increase their drivetime by 4.9 minutes (2.7miles, one-way) to 10.1 minutes.
This is not considered an unreasonable increase. We have consulted with each of these schools, details of which
are set out in the Consultation section of this strategy document.
27
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Swimming pool – programming
• The programmes on which we have based our analysis relate to lane swimming.
We have not taken the leisure
pool at Plas Madoc into consideration, only the 3 lane portion of the pool.
• Our analysis shows that Plas Madoc and Waterworld have similar profiles, with around two-thirds of swimming
lane hours set aside for public use.
• There is virtually no club swimming at Plas Madoc
• It indicates that Chirk is an important facility in terms of offering a balanced programme of swimming across the
full spectrum of user categories, serving a local catchment
• Around 10% of Plas Madoc’s programme is for school usage.
28
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Sports Hall Usage
• Wrexham’s supply of accessible sports hall in the County Borough is the equivalent of 32 badminton
courts.
• We have researched the usage of these facilities to assess how busy they were during the 2012/13
financial year.
• Ruabon, Gwyn Evans, Plas Madoc and Clywedog are well-used, with the facilities booked for 60%+ of the
time they are open for public use.
• Darland, Rhosnesni and Chirk sports halls are empty more often than they are used
• Usage at Morgan Llwyd is very low.
Ruabon
Gwyn Evans
Plas Madoc
Clywedog
Darland
Rhosnesni
Chirk
Morgan Llwyd
4 courts
4 courts
4 courts
4 courts + gym hall
4 courts
4 courts + gym hall
1 court
4 courts + gym hall
% hours booked
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
66.0%
65.8%
65.6%
60.2%
49.2%
42.1%
41.5%
23.0%
47%
51%
55%
57%
37%
51%
62%
19%
65%
81%
66%
50%
48%
43%
53%
27%
89%
77%
67%
79%
44%
57%
54%
18%
56%
73%
76%
67%
48%
32%
40%
28%
73%
48%
53%
48%
69%
29%
46%
closed
closed
closed
72%
closed
closed
closed
20%
closed
closed
closed
71%
closed
closed
closed
15%
closed
29
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Synthetic turf pitch - Grango
•
The full-sized synthetic turf pitch (STP) at Grango School generated £6,600 in 2012/13, of which the
Council retained 30% (or £1,990) under the terms of the usage agreement with the school (which
retains 70% of the income).
•
Council income of £1,990 is very low given the Council seems to retain the burden of maintaining the
facility; we would question whether this is a fair split. The Sports Consultancy’s database indicates
that a well-performing full-sized STP should be expected to generate around £100,000 per annum.
Grango’s exposed and relatively remote location prevents it from achieving the usage necessary to
generate these income levels. However, given that an average 5 a-side pitch – which is significantly
smaller in area - typically generates in the region of £40,000 to £50,000, Grango’s performance is
considered to be poor.
30
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Synthetic turf pitch - Grango
•
The cost of hiring Grango for an hour is:
 Full Pitch: £78.20 (Adult) or £50.05 (Junior)
 Half Pitch £31.65 (Adult) or £21.10 (Junior)
•
We understand that the vast majority of bookings are to hire a half-pitch. Assuming an adult:junior usage
split of 50:50, this suggests an average cost per session of around £26. There were 256 bookings in
2012/13, representing an average of 8 bookings per week in the 8 months it is open for use (Sept to
March). This level of usage is considered to be very low given the lack of competition in the County
Borough. We would suggest making the facility open for bookings during the entire year, extending across
April to August which would allow it to benefit from the attraction of the better weather, as well as
higher value summer camp bookings.
•
Whilst the operating performance of the facility appears to suggest it is underutilised, it is the Council’s
only synthetic turf pitch and, as such it serves and identified community need. Moreover, as set out in the
Consultation section within this report, the Welsh FA has identified Grango as a potential location for a
football hub and academy.
31
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Plas Madoc usage - general
•The postcode analysis of users of Plas Madoc Leisure centre (who visited the facility at least once
during 2012/13) shows the majority of users are based outside of the immediate area.
•This would suggest that the precise location of the facility is not important to the majority of users
and is does not serve an exclusively local catchment.
32
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Facilities Strategy
Plas Madoc users
33
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
The Equality Act 2010
• The Equality Act 2010 makes provision for the protection of people from discrimination on the
grounds of such protected characteristics as their age, sex and disability. In terms of its policies,
management and programming, the Council’s leisure portfolio is open to all and does not
discriminate. However, the condition surveys highlighted certain areas where the physical
infrastructure at Plas Madoc prevents the facility from offering the same terms and quality of
usage to disabled users, specifically in the changing areas and access between floors (i.e. the lift
is not compliant with the Act).
• In order for the Council to comply with the Act it could either make reasonable adjustments to
the existing building, or ensure that when/if a new facility be built it is designed without these
physical barriers preventing equal treatment for disabled users.
34
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Observations and emerging issues
• Our analysis of usage of the facilities has highlighted the following:
1.
Plas Madoc accounts for 20% of all leisure usage and 24% of swimming visits
2.
The health and fitness usage at Waterworld is far better than any of the other facilities. Queensway,
Chirk and Gwyn Evans attracted an average hourly peak of just 4 people during the 2012/13.
Clywedog attracted an average of just 1 person per hour. Whilst Chirk and Gwyn Evans serve specific
local catchments, Queensway and Clywedog do not. We would therefore recommend that the fitness
stations be amalgamated at a bigger gym, ideally Waterworld (albeit we understand the constraints of
the current Waterworld site).
3.
Plas Madoc does not exclusively serve a specific local catchment and draws users from a wide area.
The specific location of the facilities provided therein is therefore less of an issue.
4.
Rhosnesni pool attracts very few users (an average of just 8 per day). These swimming visits should be
able to be accommodated elsewhere by other pools in the portfolio. The rationale for the Council
continuing to operate the pool is weak.
5.
In the event Plas Madoc closes, the primary school swimming lessons could be hosted by both Chirk
and Clywedog, the two nearest alternatives for the 7 primary schools that regularly use Plas Madoc.
35
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Usage Analysis
Observations and emerging issues
6.
The sports halls are relatively well used, with the exception of Morgan Llwyd, the reasons for which
are not clear but we would suggest that its close proximity to Rhosnesni (less than 1 mile away) and
Glyndwr University Sports centre (2 miles away) is the overriding factor.
7.
The Council should explore the potential to extend the opening period for the Grango into the
summer holidays to drive usage and revenue from summer camps. It is currently very poorly used and
generates less that £2,000 for the Council, despite the Council retaining the responsibility for it
management and maintenance.
36
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Financial Performance
Overview
• The net cost to the Council of operating the 11 in-house facilities is £1.8m (2012/13 actual). Plas Madoc and
Waterworld cost a combined £0.9m to operate per year on turnover of £1.85m. Going forward, the cost of operating
Plas Madoc is projected to increase significantly as refurbishment, repairs and replacement of the structure and plant
and machinery is required.
1
2
3
Waterworld
Plas Madoc
Chirk
4
Gwyn Evans Queensway
£
£
(260,218)
(157,490)
(54,368)
(23,516)
(33,035)
(26,248)
(10,377)
(10,325)
(1,047)
(308)
(153,268)
(32,244)
(577)
(6,250)
(93,637)
(85,359)
(606,526)
(341,739)
£
(810,271)
(209,070)
(83,638)
(43,522)
(256)
(122,612)
(36,968)
(198,262)
(1,504,598)
£
(606,117)
(175,796)
(58,353)
(64,628)
(826)
(135,671)
0
(186,223)
(1,227,615)
£
(274,210)
(44,299)
(25,402)
(11,081)
(1,756)
(49,920)
(13,092)
(118,083)
(537,842)
Income
1,173,155
672,953
268,292
413,323
Net operating cost
Capital charges
Net cost including capital charges
(331,443)
(183,813)
(515,256)
(554,662)
(162,272)
(716,934)
(269,550)
(97,610)
(367,160)
(193,203)
(100,080)
(293,283)
Staffing Costs
Utilities
NNDR
Premises
Transport
Supplies & services
Third party payments
Support services
Total expenditure
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Clywedog
Ruabon
Rhosnesni
Darland
Grango
£
(26,139)
(29,376)
0
(9,560)
(203)
(13,861)
215
(20,599)
(99,522)
£
(61,788)
(12,810)
0
(10,746)
(357)
(2,112)
0
(15,240)
(103,053)
£
(17,462)
(16,664)
0
(15,687)
0
(2,633)
0
(40,820)
(93,266)
£
(22,632)
(8,433)
0
0
(137)
(2,185)
(8,055)
(13,916)
(55,359)
Morgan Llwyd
£
(15,167)
(6,115)
(193)
(11,766)
0
(647)
0
(27,764)
(61,653)
134,776
71,126
50,063
38,045
18,779
(206,963)
(963,260)
(1,170,223)
(28,396)
(9,770)
(38,166)
(52,991)
0
(52,991)
(55,221)
(37,838)
(93,059)
(36,580)
(34,759)
(71,339)
37
Total
£
£
(2,251,492)
(580,447)
(226,870)
(187,692)
(4,890)
(515,152)
(64,727)
(799,902)
(4,631,172)
14,138
1,990
2,856,639
(47,515)
0
(47,515)
1,990
0
1,990
(1,774,533)
(1,589,401)
(3,363,934)
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Financial Performance
Key Performance Indicators (2012/13)
•
The Sports Consultancy maintains an operational database of over 250 UK public leisure facilities
(52.9% of which are Council-run), containing over 500 financial records. We have compared the
financial performance of Wrexham’s facilities against these records, focusing on the following key
metrics:
1. Income per visit
2. Subsidy per visit
3. Cost recovery
•
The performance of each facility is detailed over the following pages.
38
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
•
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Financial Performance
Key Performance Indicators (2012/13)
•Income per visit
Facility
Income
Visits Income per visit
UK Database
average
Variance to UK
average
Upper Quartile
Lower Quartile
1Plas Madoc
£672,953
223,047
£3.02
£3.75
(20%)
£4.37
£2.67
2Waterworld
£1,173,155
394,106
£2.98
£3.75
(21%)
£4.37
£2.67
3Gwyn Evans
£413,323
166,275
£2.49
£3.75
(34%)
£4.37
£2.67
4Chirk
£268,292
138,709
£1.93
£3.75
(48%)
£4.37
£2.67
5Queensway
£134,776
97,115
£1.39
£2.83
(51%)
£3.66
£1.43
6Clywedog
£71,126
32,868
£2.16
£3.28
(34%)
£4.23
£2.48
7Ruabon
£50,063
19,904
£2.52
£3.28
(23%)
£4.23
£2.48
8Rhosnesni
£38,045
12,108
£3.14
£3.28
(4%)
£4.23
£2.48
9Darland
£18,779
11,552
£1.63
£3.28
(50%)
£4.23
£2.48
£14,138
17,447
£0.81
£3.28
(75%)
£4.23
£2.48
10Morgan Llwyd
39
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Financial Performance
Key Performance Indicators (2012/13)
•Subsidy per visit
Facility
Subsidy
Visits Subsidy per visit
UK Database
average
Variance to UK
average Upper Quartile Lower Quartile
1Plas Madoc
(£554,662)
223,047
(£2.49)
(£1.13)
(120%)
£0.15
(£2.33)
2Waterworld
(£331,443)
394,106
(£0.84)
(£1.13)
26%
£0.15
(£2.33)
3Gwyn Evans
(£193,203)
166,275
(£1.16)
(£1.13)
(3%)
£0.15
(£2.33)
4Chirk
(£269,550)
138,709
(£1.94)
(£1.13)
(72%)
£0.15
(£2.33)
5Queensway
(£206,963)
97,115
(£2.13)
(£1.96)
(9%)
(£0.88)
(£2.64)
6Clywedog
(£28,396)
32,868
(£0.86)
(£3.05)
72%
(£1.24)
(£3.79)
7Ruabon
(£52,991)
19,904
(£2.66)
(£3.05)
13%
(£1.24)
(£3.79)
8Rhosnesni
(£55,221)
12,108
(£4.56)
(£3.05)
(50%)
(£1.24)
(£3.79)
9Darland
(£36,580)
11,552
(£3.17)
(£3.05)
(4%)
(£1.24)
(£3.79)
(£47,515)
17,447
(£2.72)
(£3.05)
11%
(£1.24)
(£3.79)
10Morgan Llwyd
40
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Financial Performance
Wrexham Leisure Centres Financial Key Performance Indicators
•% cost recovery
1 Plas Madoc
2 Waterworld
3 Gwyn Evans
4 Chirk
% cost recovery
55%
78%
68%
50%
Database average
83%
83%
83%
83%
Variance to average
(28%)
(5%)
(15%)
(33%)
5 Queensway
6 Clywedog
7 Ruabon
8 Rhosnesni
9 Darland
10 Morgan Llwyd
39%
71%
49%
41%
34%
23%
68%
54%
54%
54%
54%
54%
(29%)
17%
(6%)
(14%)
(20%)
(31%)
41
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Financial Performance
Wrexham Leisure Centres Financial Key Performance Indicators
•
•
The entire portfolio is generally underperforming across the range of KPIs
The income per visit generated by both Plas Madoc and Waterworld is circa 20% below the UK
average generated by wet and dry centres
•
•
The income per visit generated by all of Wrexham’s leisure facilities is below the UK average
The income per visit generated by the dual use centres is up to 75% worse than the average dual use
centre performance
•
The subsidy per visit at Plas Madoc is 1.2x higher than the UK average (£2.49 v £1.13).
42
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Financial Performance
Observations and emerging issues
•
There is no prospect of Plas Madoc’s operating or financial performance improving. Indeed, as the
building ages, the maintenance costs are likely to increase and the financial burden of operating the
facility will be exacerbated.
•
Waterworld’s performance is severely impaired by the physical constraints of the facility. The size of the
fitness gym is a limiting factor in maximising income generation. This cannot be extended beyond 40
stations , although the market analysis indicates that there is significant latent demand to justify a gym
of a significant scale (120 stations).
•
The dual use centres are underperforming and remain a financial burden to the Council. They account
for 8.8% of total visits but only 6.8% of income, and 12.3% of subsidy. The cost to the Council of the
dual use centres is almost £220,000 per year.
43
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Financial Performance
Observations and emerging issues
•
In TSC’s opinion, one of the key reasons why the individual performance of each facility is so poor is
because the portfolio is too large and the usage and income generation are spread too thinly. At almost
£2m per year, the cost of operating the portfolio is considered to be completely unsustainable.
•
Continuing to retain such a large portfolio of buildings will mean that the Council retains the associated
risks and responsibilities regarding maintenance of these assets. The cost of maintenance is likely to
continue to increase as these facilities age.
44
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Supply and Demand
Introduction
•
Detailed demand and supply analysis for Wrexham has been completed for swimming pools and
sports halls using Sport Wales’ Facility Planning Model (FPM). This provides a robust, industry
recognised, assessment of supply and demand for these facility types.
•
In addition to the findings of the FPM, an assessment of supply and demand for health and fitness
facilities was commissioned from specialist market research company (The Leisure Database
Company).
45
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Supply and Demand
The key findings from the supply and demand analysis are:
Swimming Pools
1. Permanent closure of Plas Madoc has a negative impact in the overall supply but most users
will be displaced to other facilities in the County Borough without significant impact on
accessibility for those currently using Plas Madoc, apart perhaps from those accessing via
walking. There are alternative local pools, most notably Chirk and Oswestry (North Shropshire),
which could accommodate increased use, as well as the potential replacement for
Waterworld. Therefore, the impact of the closure of Plas Madoc can be mitigated through
access to alternative facilities and the replacement of Waterworld, particularly if a larger,
preferable, 8-lane pool option is chosen.
46
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Supply and Demand
Sports Halls
2. Currently the area around Plas Madoc is very well provided for, in terms of sports halls, arguably
overprovided for. The closure of Plas Madoc has a negative impact in the overall supply for the
County Borough; however most users will be displaced to other facilities in the County Borough,
without significant impact on accessibility for those currently using Plas Madoc. By closing Plas
Madoc the area becomes similar to the rest of Wrexham. In essence, there are alternative local
halls, which could accommodate displaced users from Plas Madoc. Therefore, the impact of the
closure of Plas Madoc is not significant.
3. In central Wrexham, however, the analysis identified a deficit of provision of 8-12 badminton
courts. This is relevant to take into consideration when deciding on the future of the facilities in
the town centre, particularly the dual use sites.
47
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Supply and Demand
Health & Fitness stations
4. The data from The Leisure Database indicates that is greater scope for additional fitness
provision in the town centre compared to the Plas Madoc area. If Plas Madoc leisure centre
were to be rebuilt on its existing site, we would recommend that an additional provision of just
4 extras stations be provided, i.e. 54 compared to the current level of 48 stations. However, if a
new facility were to be built adjacent to the current Waterworld facility then the market would
justify and additional 80 stations (120 compared to the current 40 stations at the existing
Waterworld gym). The size of the gym is relevant because it is a key revenue generator;
investment in the town centre will attract higher user numbers than Plas Madoc and therefore
generate greater revenue.
48
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation
Introduction
We have contacted over 60 organisations with a vested interested in the
1
User Groups, Clubs & Schools
Wrexham Swimming Club
2
Ruabon Tae Kwon Do
3
Penley Penguins SC
4
WXM Water Polo Club
5
Brymbo Wrexham Squash Club
written responses from 10 strategic stakeholders and 17 user groups. We have
6
Wrexham Athletics Club
Matrix Taekwondo
also consulted with all 5 of the dual use schools, 4 of which have provided
7
8
North Wales Crusaders Rugby League
9
Wrexham Hockey Club
Wrexham portfolio, including clubs, user groups, schools and national
governing bodies, in order to better understand the leisure portfolio from a
wider perspective. We had a good response to our approaches, receiving
written responses to our questions. The respondees are listed here.
1
Strategic Stakeholders
Football Association Wales Trust
2
Hockey Wales
3
Welsh Rugby Union
4
Swim Wales
5
Cricket Wales
6
Badminton Wales
7
Sport Wales
8
Disability Wales
9
Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham
10 Wrexham Roller Hockey Club
11 Splash & Rhyme
12 Llangollen Canoe Club
13 Maes y Llan School
14 Maes y Mynydd School
15 Rhosymedre School
16 Ruabon St Mary's School
17 Olympic Wrexham Gymnastics Club
18 Ruabon School
19 Rhosnesni School
20 Darland School
21 Morgan Llwyd School
10 Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board
49
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Strategic Stakeholders
Swim Wales
•
Wrexham’s pool provision plays a vital role in delivering Swim Wales strategy in the locality. With no
accessible private / alternate provision we are entirely reliant on Local Authority partners to help deliver
National Swim Wales and Sport Wales initiatives. Swim Wales has affiliated Swimming clubs operating from
the facilities:
•
•
a)
Wrexham Swimming Club – operates primarily from Waterworld, (plus Gwyn Evans and Clywedog).
b)
Wrexham Aquatics Club –primarily water polo (Waterworld)
c)
Chirk Swimming Club – operating from Chirk Leisure Centre
There are three primary functions that the facilities provide:
a)
Performance Swimming
b)
Pathway opportunities (water polo and other aquatics activities)
c)
Delivery of the Welsh Learn to Swim Programme – Aqua Passport
Swim Wales considers the provision, quality and management of facilities in Wrexham to be good and in
challenging financial circumstances this is far better than some other providers elsewhere in Wales.
50
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Strategic Stakeholders
Swim Wales (cont’d)
• They suggest that Plas Madoc and Waterworld may be heading towards the back end of their lifespan.
• Their main concern is accessibility of the water space in Wrexham.
• They have long sought a way to work with the Authority and Wrexham Swimming club to improve their access to pool
time to enable them to reach Swim Wales’ ‘Performance Club’ status.
• Performance Club criteria requires 20 hours of pool time access per week for the top squad, and appropriate progressions
to that squad from learn to Swim. This is not being met in Wrexham.
• As Wrexham is the third largest population centre after Cardiff and Swansea it is imperative for Swim Wales to have a
fully functioning performance centre (utilising the existing Wrexham Swimming Club). Other areas including Newport,
Bridgend, Pembrokeshire and Conwy have managed this without vastly different facilities.
• Swim Wales would like to see a 50m pool in Wrexham (within the main conurbation replacing Waterworld would be the
logical choice). This would be of a flexible design allowing performance swimming, lessons and public at any one time,
and this could provide the function of several of the other pools while being more economical and more versatile.
51
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Strategic Stakeholders
Swim Wales (cont’d)
• They are aware that Glyndwr University are also keen to add a pool to their portfolio under the right circumstances
and would strongly advise a partnership to run such a facility.
• In the more immediate term their absolute priority is to secure the correct pool time to ensure Wrexham is the
performance club the area requires.
• Swim Wales suggests that the swimming provision is spread too thinly across the Wrexham sites. Newport for
example within the main urban area operate just two large facilities one orientated towards ‘serious’ swimming
including performance, and the other a freeform leisure pool. In recent years Merthyr is an example of another
Authority that has consolidated its provision on a smaller number of sites but with larger more versatile facilities.
52
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Strategic Stakeholders
Sport Wales
• Provides £450,000 of funding per annum to Wrexham CBC for the delivery of various sporting programmes
including Free Swimming (£148k), Dragon Sport and 5x60 (£278k) to ensure a range of extra-curricular
opportunities are provided to young people.
• This is dependent on locally accessible sports facilities.
Cricket Wales
• Ruabon School fulfils a crucial role for Cricket Wales as the facility to deliver coach education, regional
representative cricket, indoor leagues and club coaching in North West Wales. It is the only facility of its kind in
the region and is essential for the development of cricket. The facility is fit for purpose and with a well-managed
maintenance regime (a priority) will continue to provide an excellent facility in the future.
53
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Strategic Stakeholders
Badminton Wales
• Darland School and Gwyn Evans seem to be the most important facilities in the delivery of badminton. Plas Madoc is
used for badminton for just 45 minutes per week and Rhosnesni just 50 minutes. Badminton is in demand in
Wrexham but not considered “healthy” by the NGB (Badminton Wales).
Hockey Wales, Welsh Football Trust and Welsh Rugby Union
• These three National Governing Bodies submitted a joint response to the consultation which highlighted their focus
on delivering an all-Wales plan for artificial turf pitches (ATPs). It recommends the designation of a nationally
significant (i.e. 2 pitch) hockey centre at Glyndwr University. This would allow for the conversion of other ATPs in the
County Borough as hubs for football (40-45mm grass length 3rd generation), football/hockey (40mm 3G with
shockpad) and football/rugby (60mm 3G with shockpad). Their spatial plans for football identifies Ysgol y Grango as a
potential football hub and academy in partnership with Cefn Druids AFC (a priority club for FAW). The ATP strategy for
Wrexham would be completed by the creation of a rugby hub in conjunction with Wrexham RFC.
54
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Strategic Stakeholders
Hockey Wales, Welsh Football Trust and Welsh Rugby Union (cont’d)
• The strategy notes the existence of the ATPs at Chirk (small ATP), Clywedog School (full size), Morgan Llwyd School
(full size), and Rhosnesni but makes no specific recommendations for their future use or development as sports
hubs. However, it does stress that all high schools in Wales should have access to at least one ATP and in this
respect, Wrexham is serving an important sporting need for these schools.
Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW)
• Considers there to be a good mix of facilities which are well-established across the County Borough. The Healthy
Eating and Being More Active Outcome Group (HEBMAOG) considers that the range of facilities offers opportunities
for all their client groups (including young people, pregnant women, deprived communities and disabled people).
NHS team (Caia Park)
• Queensway and Waterworld are considered pivotal to the delivery of programmes by the NHS Health Team (Caia
Park) to increase physical activity levels and help reduce obesity. Obesity rates are high in Wrexham (at 58%) and
activity levels are low (33%). The NHS team considers the accessibility of these facilities to be very good. The scope
of facilities is considered good, but the facilities generally need updating.
55
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Strategic Stakeholders
Disability Sport Wales
• Disability Sport Wales employs a development officer in the Wrexham County Borough. Their role is to
ensure appropriate access for disabled people to sports facilities as part of its community programme. In
addition, they run a “virtual” academy and performance programme which formalises the process of
identifying and developing elite disabled athletes. It is considered essential that athletes are given access to
high quality local sporting facilities.
56
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Plas Madoc Specific
Introduction
• Given the sensitivity of the recommended option to close Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, we have ensured the
views of the main user groups of that facility have been consulted to understand: the extent of their usage,
why they choose to use Plas Madoc over the other options (if any), and how the users of each group travel
to and from the facility. Those consultees specific to Plas Madoc are:
1.
Wrexham Roller Hockey Club
2.
Splash & Rhyme
3.
Llangollen Canoe Club
4.
Maes y Llan School
5.
Maes y Mynydd School
6.
Rhosymedre School
7.
Ruabon St Mary’s School
57
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Plas Madoc Specific
Key messages
• Wrexham Roller Hockey Club and GBHI North Wales use Plas Madoc exclusively. Very few leisure centre allow roller
hockey to be played due to the potential damage to the sports hall flooring. They use the sports hall once a week
for club days and once a fortnight for League games. Plas Madoc hosts the league games for ALL clubs in North
Wales. The charge for an entire day’s hire at the weekend is just £100. They would be happy to relocate if an
alternative home could be found (Deeside Leisure Centre was their former home prior to its refurbishment). Whilst
not made specifically clear, we can assume that the majority of the users travel to the facility by car as it attracts
clubs from all over North Wales. Some of the local club’s users walk from the neighbouring Plas Madoc estate.
• The Splash & Rhyme group uses Plas Madoc just once a week for an hour. They originally approached Waterworld
to host the sessions so we can assume that the specific location is not important.
• Llangollen Canoe Club uses the pool once a week due to its wave machine, shallow entry points and its central
location. The majority of its members travel to the facility by car. Changing facilities are considered to be poor and
the car park is poorly lit.
58
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Plas Madoc Specific
Key messages
• Seven local primary schools use Plas Madoc once a week for swimming lessons.
 Schools would use another facility if it was located close enough
 The schools use a bus to travel to the facility, with the exception of Rhosymedre who walk. Travel time is key.
 Only Rhosymedre considers Plas Madoc’s specific location to be critically important to its continued usage
• We have researched the likely alternative locations to host the schools’ lesson programmes. If the schools switched
to Clywedog School or Chirk Leisure Centre, their each-way travel time would increase by an average of just 5
minutes.
Summary
• It seems that the cost and convenience of Plas Madoc are more important considerations than its specific location.
There are other options available for the schools to use if they would consider an average 5 minute extension to
their journey time.
• The roller hockey clubs are likely to be affected most by the closure of Plas Madoc and would appreciate help from
the Council to relocate; this was not forthcoming when Deeside Leisure Centre was no longer an option.
59
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – User Groups
Overview
• Users are not precious about what facility they use and would be prepared to use a different/new facility
if necessary
•
•
•
•
The majority of users travel to facilities by car
No real issues were raised regarding the quality of facilities, with the exception of Plas Madoc.
The users all seem to enjoy a good relationship with the Council’s leisure staff.
Olympic Wrexham Gymnastics Club is located at Queensway. Although they do share an entrance, they
do not share any of the other facilities and can therefore be considered to be self-contained. This is an
important when considering the option of closing the fitness gym at Waterworld and relocating the staff;
they are not required to support the gymnastics club.
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1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Dual Use Schools
Dual Use Schools
• The Council operates 5 dual use leisure centres (excluding Grango’s AWP), two of which have swimming
pools. We have received written responses to our consultation questions from all except Clywedog
School. Given the potential option for the Council to withdraw from operating the facilities it is crucially
important to understand the schools’ appetites to operate the facilities directly and take on the
associated operating and financial risks. If there is no willingness for the schools to operate for the benefit
of the community use – regardless of the available income generation – then this is likely to put pressure
on the remaining portfolio.
• There remains the option, of course, to retain the dual use schools and convert to a staffless operation,
similar to Darland. We would consider that this is not an option for the pools due to health and safety
concerns.
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1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Dual Use Schools
Dual Use Schools
• Rhosnesni School warns that it would be highly likely that they would close the pool. However, they may
consider offering access to the dry facilities during weekdays.
• Ruabon School would be interested in the option of operating the facilities themselves for the benefit of
the community, particularly if the access systems could be converted to allow a staffless operation. They
are concerned, however, about the cost of maintenance of the facility.
• Morgan Llwyd do not appear to have considered the opportunity in any detail, other than making clear
that if the operation was loss making (as the Council’s financial reports indicate) then they would not
consider operating the facility for community use.
• Darland School considers the staffless operation implemented at their site to be far from ideal due to the
associated problems with security, cleaning and user management. They do, however, see an opportunity
to pass the responsibility for managing the facility to a local voluntary group such as the PTA or the
Gresford Trust.
62
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Consultation – Dual Use Schools
Summary and Key Issues
• It seems likely that the pools will close if the Council withdraws its operational and financial support. The
schools appear to have no incentive to finance a loss making facility.
• The impact of Rhosnesni closing will be relatively immaterial as it only accommodates an average of 8
swimmers per day. Clywedog pool, however, is significantly busier and could be used as a ideal alternative
venue for primary school swimming. The case for the Council continuing to support it is therefore far
stronger
• However, the schools do see the opportunity to generate income from the dry side facilities and it is
therefore likely that these remain open to the public even if the Council withdraws its support. The
supply and demand analysis we have undertaken suggests that the deficit in sports hall provision will
provide an opportunity for greater usage of the remaining sports halls and therefore higher revenue
generation.
63
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
New Facility Feasibility
•
The Sports Consultancy’s New Facility Feasibility (which should be read in conjunction with this
report) makes the following recommendations:
1. Demolition of Plas Madoc and Waterworld, to be replaced by a single facility on the site of
the Crown Buildings in the town centre.
2. The scope of facilities to comprise:
a) 8-lane 25-metre County standard swimming pool
b) Spectator seating for 250 people
c) Learner pool
d) Leisure water area (one flume feature)
e) 120-station health and fitness area
f)
2 fitness studios (30-person capacity plus storage)
3. Capital cost of £11.9m (including fees, contingencies and demolition)
64
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
New Facility Feasibility
•
Assuming the operation of the facility is outsourced, it is likely to deliver revenue savings of
£946,014 compared to 2012/13 actual financial performance, representing a potential to
leverage prudential borrowing of up to £13.2m.
•
A likely necessary borrowing requirement of £11.9m would mean that the facility would be fully
funded, and deliver the Council savings of £96,443 per annum after financing costs.
£
1 Close Plas Madoc
£554,662
2 Close Waterworld
£331,443
3 Build, finance and operate new leisure centre
(£789,662)
Net cost improvement
£96,443
65
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Summary and Recommendations
•
The research and analysis undertaken as part of the development of this Leisure
Facility Strategy has identified opportunities to significantly improve the portfolio
whilst delivering a brand new and fit-for purpose leisure centre and securing
sustainable operational savings.
•
The recommendations have been made taking into consideration:
 The condition of the facilities
 Usage
 Financial performance
 Consultation with user groups and stakeholders
 The supply of and demand for leisure facilities in the Wrexham area
 The likely benefits of building and operating a new leisure centre to replace
existing facilities.
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1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Summary and Recommendations
•
Our recommendations are:
1.
Hand back the dual use facilities, to the schools with the exception of Clywedog swimming pool (which
could play a role in hosting primary school lessons, club swimming and classes. The risk of the schools
deciding to close the dry facilities is considered to be very low in view of the income generation
opportunities available to help subsidise the schools. This is an important consideration as there is an
identified deficit of sports halls in the town centre. The Council has a role to play in helping the schools to
understand this potential and provide more information regarding the likely associated operating costs to
help ensure these sports halls remain open to the public. Rhosnesni pool is likely to close but as this only
serves an average of 8 people per day, these can be comfortably relocated elsewhere.
2.
Close Plas Madoc leisure centre – it has come to the end of its designed life and requires £1.7m of
maintenance, as identified in the condition surveys.
3.
Close Waterworld and build a new leisure centre on the adjacent Crown Buildings site. Waterworld is
reaching the end of its design life and it constrained by its physical infrastructure to maximise income.
4.
Close the Queensway and Clywedog gyms and relocate the fitness provision to the new leisure centre.
Clywedog pool and Queensway stadium should be retained by the Council.
67
1.Our brief 2.Facilities
3.Condition Surveys 4.Usage Analysis 5.Financial Performance 6.Supply & Demand 7.Consultation 8. New Facility Feasibility 9. Recommendations
Summary and Recommendations
• Adopting these recommendations could secure £399,330
Summary of annual operating savings available
1 Close Plas Madoc (100% saving versus current operating costs)
2 Close Waterworld (100% saving versus current operating costs)
3 Build, finance and operate new leisure centre
4 Hand back Rhosnesni (100% saving)
5 Hand back Ruabon (100% saving)
6 Hand back Morgan Llwyd (100% saving)
7 Hand back Darland (100% saving)
8 Hand back Clywedog gym (25% saving)
8 Close Queensway gym (50% saving)
Total potential annual savings
of annual operational savings and deliver a fully funded
new leisure facility to serve the population, helping the
Council ‘make Wrexham a better place for people to live,
work, learn and play in’. These savings are summarised in
the table opposite. Note that these include support
services of c£300,000 which the Council will be able to
realise at central office level.
£
£554,662
£331,443
(£789,662)
£55,221
£52,991
£47,515
£36,580
£7,099
£103,481
£399,330
• In terms of timescales, savings of £857,549 should be
achievable in the year to March 2015 by closing or
handing back those facilities identified in the table.
Summary of avoided R&M identified by Condition Surveys
1 Plas Madoc
2 Waterworld
3 Rhosnesni
4 Ruabon
5 Morgan Llwyd
6 Darland
Avoided condition survey works
Waterworld should be retained until construction of the
new leisure facility has been completed and it is
operational.
• It will also help the Council avoid over £2m of essential
maintenance work over the next 5 years.
68
£
£1,675,000
£15,000
£96,800
£35,550
£54,000
£185,750
£2,062,100