The cost of refurbishing Darwen Leisure Centre’s gym has been revealed.
New equipment was bought at a cost of £165,000 to Blackburn with Darwen Council, to be repaid at £29,500 per year over the next six years.
Equipment repairs and maintenance costs had been increasing year on year with Darwen costing disproportionately more than any other facility.
Total gym equipment repairs spend for 2017/18 across leisure was c £14,000 with Darwen accounting for over £12,000 of that – additional to the lease costs.
Bosses say purchasing new equipment with a 5-6 year warranty in place ensured costs are controlled and are predictable, assisting with effective budget management.
They say modernising facilities to provide customers with an exciting, fresh gym environment that encourages increased participation and protects incomes levels.
The gym reopened in January after a four-week refurb.
Bosses at Darwen Leisure Centre held two open days to allow visitors to look at the new layout and equipment.
It includes touch screen CV equipment, spinning bikes, new cardio equipment and a weight training area. There is also a freestanding gym rig, the walls have been repainted and new flooring.
In a report detailing the spend, council leisure boss Cllr Damian Talbot said: “At the time of opening in 2010 the gym at Darwen was state of the art, but approaching a decade later customer trends and expectations have changed.
“Coupled with the increasing operating costs due to equipment age and regularity of breakdown are significant drivers for the need to change.
“Over the same time period commercial competition has increased and competitors have been through a range of advancements to meet changing customer demands and fitness trends.
“Modernising facilities to provide customers with an exciting, fresh gym environment that encourages increased participation and protects incomes levels.
“A net growth of 40 members on top of forecasted performance will result in £10,000 additional income over a year – a very achievable target.”
