Health suite to close after review

The district council found it would cost £70,000 to bring the Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex’s saunas and steam room up to standard while improvements to the Oak Tree Leisure Centre’s facilities would cost £10,000.

It was decided the Water Meadows suite should close from the end of next month and investments made at Oak Tree. This will involve replacing its sauna and upgrading its relaxation area. There will also be a review of the health suite time-table at Oak Tree Leisure Centre with single sex sessions being introduced.

The authority conducted a survey of health suite facilities across the district’s leisure centres with the Mansfield District Leisure Trust. Managers said ‘low customer usage’ the need to upgrade facilities at the two sites had prompted the move.

The future use of the space created by closure will be explored but it will have a family focus such as a café and children’s soft play area.

Cllr Philip Shields, portfolio holder for the environment at Mansfield District Council, said: “The financial investment required to improve the health suite at Water Meadows cannot be justified based on the low usage levels. Therefore, our money would be better spent on investing in making improvements to Oak Tree Leisure Centre health suite and further developing Water Meadows into a family-friendly centre.”

Brian Taylor, chairman of Mansfield District Leisure Trust, said: “Water Meadows is a family friendly facility at the heart of the community. The potential change of use to the health suite offers a great opportunity for Water Meadows to continue to grow and attract visitors.”