LEISURE facilities in Basingstoke and Deane are set to get a financial boost.

At a full council meeting on July 27, members of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) agreed to invest £1.52 million to go towards vital maintenance work at some of the borough’s leisure facilities.

The investment would see improvements made at Basingstoke Aquadrome, Tadley Pool, Basingstoke Golf Centre and Basingstoke Tennis Centre.

Speaking at the meeting, cabinet member for communities and community safety, councillor Simon Bound (pictured) said: “This investment shows a commitment to delivering a high-quality leisure service in our borough. This is acting as an extension of the continuous need to fund fundamental work in the borough.”

The decision was widely accepted by other members, however, leader of the Basingstoke Labour Group, cllr Paul Harvey did ask for part of the proposal to be reviewed.

This focused on low income gym membership users not being permitted peak evening Aquadrome access.

Cllr Harvey said: “If we can learn anything from all the amazing athletes we have seen at the Olympics is that sport is something for everyone.

“So we ask the portfolio holder to review this aspect of the leisure management arrangement and for this to be discussed at a later date.”

This amendment was seconded by fellow Labour councillor, cllr Jack Cousens who said: “Sport and fitness should be inclusive of everyone. So please can we go away and review this clause, but apart from that I am happy to support the recommendation.”

The point raised in the amendment is to be reviewed.

As well as funding from BDBC, the money will also come from Serco Leisure and the Basingstoke and Deane Community Leisure Trust which run the sites. Overall, £732,000 will be invested in the Aquadrome, £573,000 in the Tadley Pool, in New Road, and £342,000 for Basingstoke Golf Centre.

It was also agreed at the meeting any extension of the current agreement of Serco and the Trust running the facilities beyond 2022, arising as a result of any delay with the Leisure Park redevelopment, would need cabinet approval.