Plans to expand a Christchurch leisure centre have been approved following a full council vote.
The £1.8million project will upgrade Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre by adding a dedicated studio space, aiming to improve the range of exercise classes currently limited by a lack of purpose built facilities.
Two Riversmeet is the only council run leisure centre in Christchurch and already includes swimming pools, a fitness suite, football pitches, squash courts and an indoor cycling studio, but an independent review highlighted the need to strengthen its overall offer.
The decision follows earlier concerns raised by the audit and governance committee, where councillors said the original report lacked key detail before narrowly approving borrowing for the scheme ahead of the full council debate.
Councillor Stephen Bartlett said the report focused on the benefits of the investment, but added the centre currently makes a significant loss and that “the return on the investment is very small”.
However, Councillor David Brown said the wider impact should be considered, stating the “human return” through improved health and reduced pressure on the NHS outweighed financial concerns.
The plans were approved by 31 votes to 9, with 8 councillors abstaining.
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