On Monday 7 August 2017, Torbay Council agreed to lease Torbay Leisure Centre and the adjacent Velopark to Parkwood Leisure until 2029.

The new lease between Torbay Council and Parkwood Leisure will see the current operator maintain and improve the leisure facilities at Clennon Valley over the next 12 years. Renegotiating the current lease terms and incorporating the adjacent Velopark has safeguarded the future provision of leisure facilities whilst providing additional funding for improvements. Parkwood Leisure’s current management agreement for Torbay Leisure Centre will now end two years ahead of schedule.

As part of the new lease Parkwood Leisure will no longer be paid a management fee. In addition, Torbay Council will lend Parkwood Leisure £1.7m at market rates with the objective of improving customer satisfaction. This loan, which must be invested in improvements to the building and improved facilities, will be fully repaid by Parkwood Leisure over the duration of lease.

Executive Lead for Community Services, Councillor Robert Excell, said: “This is a great opportunity for us to work with Parkwood Leisure to improve a great asset for our local community and visitors.

“As budget pressures continue it is becoming more and more difficult for the council to sustain non statutory services. This agreement will help us to make savings to our revenue budget whilst securing the future of leisure services in Clennon Valley.

“Parkwood Leisure has a wealth of experience and I trust they will do a great job modernising and improving the centre and Velopark so everyone can enjoy them for years to come.”

Media organisations can contact Torbay Council’s Communications Team on 01803 208850 or email communications@torbay.gov.uk for further information.