Leisure facility option part of working group talks over Green Britain Centre
With a working group being set up regarding the future of Swaffham's Green Britain Centre, its potential has been described as "a tremendous opportunity" for the town.
Breckland Council has been holding talks with a working group comprising of Swaffham Town Council representatives after negotiations for the Turbine Way site had been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The issue was discussed 'below the line' after the public and press had been excluded from a town council meeting which took place yesterday.
But Breckland councillor Ian Sherwood had earlier said that the building could be utilised as a much-desired sports and leisure provision for the town.
Mr Sherwood said: "I think this a tremendous opportunity for Swaffham as a community. Like you, many people have said they would like to see improved sports facilities in the town and this gives you an opportunity to do that.
"You do not have to have a sports and leisure provision; it is up to you, but I encourage you to do that."
The district councillor added that due to problems with the roof at the Nicholas Hamond Academy (NHA) leisure centre, that site could be used as a "fallback" when considering a sports and leisure provision.
Mr Sherwood said Swaffham "deserves better than that" as the only option however. The NHA centre had a £1.5m revamp earlier this year.
Another meeting between Breckland and the Green Britain Centre working group will be scheduled shortly following the recent meeting being described as "constructive".
Town clerk Richard Bishop had previously said any future discussions would be moved forward on the provision that the Green Britain Centre is "fit for purpose".
A land swap between Breckland Council and Swaffham Town Council has previously been explored in which the latter would take on the Turbine Way site in exchange for the the Days Field site on New Sporle Road.
However, some fears have been expressed in the past regarding the state of the Green Britain Centre, which was deemed unprofitable in June 2018.
