Residents' views will help shape leisure centre legacy

More than 900 people have given Islington Council their views on ambitious proposals to overhaul Finsbury Leisure Centre and Ironmonger Row Baths.

The high level of feedback from the public has made this one of the most successful consultations of this type to be held in the borough.

The ageing buildings, in EC1, are in major need of repair and a wider range of facilities.

The consultation asked residents’ views on a range of community as well as leisure uses, to ensure the community feels ownership of the building.

Four options were presented to upgrade the facility:
(1) Repairs to the existing buildings;
(2) Rebuilding the leisure centre and refurbishing the baths with no additional space and no housing development;
(3) Rebuilding the leisure centre and refurbishing and extending the baths, with housing development in Central Street;
(4) Rebuilding the leisure centre and refurbishing and extending the baths, with housing development in Helmet Row and Mitchell Street.

Residents were asked how much they supported or opposed each option and why. All options were supported by more people than opposed them showing real enthuiaism for improvements. There was also substantial support for the most extensive redevelopment including housing.

Residents were also asked which facilities they most wanted to see the new centre provide.

As well as sports and swimming facilities, a majority of residents have also called for a base for local police officers, youth facilities, and healthcare services.

Councillor Ruth Polling, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, said: “The future of this sports centre is really important for our residents, which is why we held such a thorough consultation. I want this centre to be the heart of the local community and so it is important that the community helps decide its design and range of facilties from the beginning.

“I’m delighted that so many people took part – and we’ll take into account all the hundreds of comments we received. This is just the first stage of the work and the consultation results will help to shape the next stage of the process. There will be more opportunties for local people to have their say as the plans develop and I hope that the community will continue to work with us on this project.

“It’s vital that we get this decision right so we have a legacy that the community can use and enjoy.”

Large numbers of people who took part in the consultation supported options 2, 3 and 4 – with more concerns being raised about the smaller-scale plans in option 1.

A decision on the future of Finsbury Leisure Centre and Ironmonger Row Baths will be discussed at the Council’s Executive later this spring.

The consultation was carried out between 9 November and 10 December 2007, in partnership with EC1 New Deal for Communities.

The report has been posted on Islington Council’s website and is available by visiting www.islington.gov.uk/consultation and clicking on ‘consultation results’. Copies will also be provided in the leisure centre and baths.

For more information, or for a full copy of the report, please call Chris Weeks at Islington Council onon 020 7527 3032 or 07825 098804.