News: Delivering the future of community sport, leisure, health and well-being

Leisure, Sport & Fitness

21 December 2005

£16 MILLION PFI CONSORTIUM PROVIDES A STATE OF THE ART, CUTTING EDGE LIFESTYLE CENTRE AND COMMUNITY PARK FOR LEWISHAM COMMUNITY

Lewisham Council, have signed a contract with a consortium of companies to deliver a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project to create a brand new, revolutionary, cutting-edge sports, leisure and lifestyle facility in the Lewisham ward of Downham.  The consortium comprising leading sport, leisure and PFI facility management company, Leisure Connection Ltd and PFI specialists Linteum Ltd, will be employing Alfred McAlpine Capital Projects to design and build the facilities.  The project finance is provided by the consortium members and by Barclays Bank Plc.  

Linteum Ltd, Leisure Connection and Lewisham Council have successfully worked to achieve financial close on the necessary contractual arrangements that will result in the construction of a brand new £16 million 'Lifestyle Centre' in Lewisham. 

WHAT IS A LIFESTYLE CENTRE?
A Lifestyle Centre is believed to be the future of community health, leisure and well-being.  The new facility will fill a niche-gap in the market by providing the following for sport and fitness enthusiasts:

o Brand new Leisure Centre, featuring:
o 25m six lane swimming pool, with learner pool
o Fitness Gym
o Dance Studio

Aside to the Leisure Centre, the facility will be complemented by a community hall, which will offer local residents, from the old to the young, a much needed provision. 
An innovative 20 acre parkland setting with extensive stream and wetland remodelling will create a riverside walk will be constructed with car parking and a new-build changing pavilion for the 6 football pitches will be a first in PFI history!

A vital contribution of funds for the project will arise from the sale to national house builder Wates Homes, of two Former Council-owned depots which will be redeveloped into a residential housing estate with a proportion being "affordable" houses.

HEALTHY HEARTS AND HEALTHY MINDS!
We all recognise the benefits of keeping our bodies and hearts healthy but it is also vitally important, especially for older people and children, to keep their minds occupied and active too - and what better way to achieve this than with a good book.  Therefore, to keep all local 'book worms' content, the Downham Lifestyle Centre will boast a brand new public library. 

ACCESS FOR ALL
As lifestyles become more hectic and demanding and there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day, Downham Lifestyle Centre has the solution.  Lewisham Council will be managing an 'Access Point' within the facility to allow the local community to manage and administer their Council Tax, other finances and council issues within the one facility. 

NEXT PLEASE.
Finally, the lifestyle centre will be opening two GP surgeries in partnership with the local Primary Care Trust. 

Graham Farrant, Chief Executive of Leisure Connection said:  "Leisure Connection is extremely proud to be part of the consortium to provide and manage this cutting edge facility.  As the nation becomes increasingly aware of the benefits of positively managing their health and more and more people are enjoying physical activity as part of their everyday lifestyle.  Therefore, this brand new state of the art 'Lifestyle Centre' will marry the appropriate facilities and services to complement one another, but most importantly benefit the local people of Downham and surrounding wards."

A spokesman from Linteum adds:  "Linteum is delighted to be a member of the team that has brought the negotiations to a successful conclusion; our thanks go to everyone involved for all of their hard work.  We look forward to providing this important ground-breaking project and service to the Downham community and are proud to be able to make our contribution."

Nick Salisbury, Head of Barclays PFI unit, comments:  "This deal clearly shows how private finance initiatives can help fund urban community projects and Barclays is delighted to be able to provide the funding for the Lewisham PFI project."

Leisure Connection and their consortium of partners also signed the first PFI contract in London with the London Borough of Brent in March, to deliver a brand new, sports centre to replace the existing Willsden Sports Centre.  The contract will span 25 years from Service Commencement, and has a total value in excess of £50m.  Site works have started and are running to plan, with the demolition complete of the existing Leisure Centre and the Stand.  The new foundations and steel frame are now underway.

The new centre is due to open at the end of 2006.  The contract between the PFI facility provider, Linteum-Lewisham Limited, and Lewisham Council will span 32 years from when the centre opens, and has a total value in excess of £50m.

1. This is the third PFI project which Leisure Connection has been successful in securing.  The first PFI project for Leisure Connection and the first ever PFI funded leisure centre to open in the UK, opened three and a half years ago on behalf of Uttlesford District Council.  Providing new dual use leisure facilities on two school sites and the major refurbishment of an existing leisure centre, the project, now in its third year of operation, has been recognised as a great success with all three sites fully functioning and working well with the local communities and the schools where they are based respectively.

2. Visits to the PFI facilities in Uttlesford can be arranged to experience how these projects can be delivered and how they can improve and enhance a community. 

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