FINANCIAL support will be offered to Rugby’s struggling sports and leisure centre so it can reopen after lockdown.
Rugby Borough Council (RBC) has voted to help the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Centre after hearing a confidential report that its operator, GLL, needed financial support due to the centre being closed during the pandemic.
The extent of the support will depend on inspection of GLL’s accounts. The council says it will be able to claim a ‘large proportion’ of the money from a dedicated government support fund for local authorities.
Coun Seb Lowe, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “It is absolutely crucial that residents continue to have access to affordable, high quality sports and leisure provision.
“The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Centre has a popular and well supported gym, swimming pools and sports hall, but it is also used extensively by schools, by adults who are recovering from surgery or from cardiovascular treatments, and from residents with disabilities.
“It is absolutely right that we provide our limited resources to support residents’ health and wellbeing and to help our most vulnerable residents access this essential service.
“While providing this support we are also clear that we expect GLL to work with us to ensure this funding is put to good use, and we are grateful for GLLs commitment to Rugby’s residents.”
The funding will relieve GLL of the obligation to pay Rugby Borough Council (RBC) a management fee during the 2020-21 period and provide additional support over the next financial year.
