Surrey Heath Borough Council has approved a change to the lease for part of Lightwater Leisure Centre car park and access road in a move which will deliver improved facilities, alongside cost savings to the council.
Lightwater Leisure Centre is leased to Lightwater Playing Fields Association and Competition Line, who trade as Lifestyle Fitness. The lease amendment increases the area of the car park and access road which the tenant is responsible for.
The new lease arrangements confirm the tenant’s responsibility for initial refurbishment and ongoing maintenance for the increased area. This is estimated to save the council around £300,000.
A 20-year reversionary lease agreed for the site in 2024 involved the tenant committing to carry out a range of improvements to the cafe and fitness studios, which have already been completed, and the provision of new padel courts which are under construction with an opening date scheduled for March. These projects totalled around £700,000.
Electric vehicle chargers are also due to be installed in the parking areas following the car park responsibilities being confirmed. The tenant has committed to reline the car parking area too, which will provide additional spaces for users.
The access road in Lightwater Country Park from the entrance gate up to the leisure centre is due to be resurfaced in the coming weeks once construction has finished on the padel courts. The cost of this will be split between the tenant and the borough council.
Parking at the Leisure Centre will continue to be free under the new arrangement. No car parking charges will be able to be imposed on the site by the tenant without consent from Surrey Heath Borough Council or any successors in title, for example the new unitary authority due to be formed in April 2027.
Along with improving facilities at this popular site, this new agreement helps reduce the ongoing financial burden to the council, supporting one of the key elements of its Transformation Programme and Medium-Term Financial Strategy.
Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder for Property and Economic Development Cllr Kel Finan-Cooke said “We value our relationship with Lightwater Playing Fields Association and Lifestyle Fitness, and this new agreement is a great result for the community and the council. It delivers upgraded facilities at this popular centre, funded by the leisure operator, at no cost to the council.
“The transfer of responsibilities to the tenant for the future maintenance of the increased area of car park and access road achieves significant savings for the council. This is crucial given the current financial challenges faced by the council. I’d like to reassure people that the car parking will continue to be free at this location and look forward to the planned improvements at the site being completed for the benefit of all users.”
Photo credit: Lifestyle Fitness