Water and Leisure Complex - Public feedback and Council responses

The Council held two weeks of public engagement on the concept designs for the Marina Centre, from Wednesday 6 March to Tuesday 19 March 2019. The public were invited to view exhibition boards on display in both the Marina Centre and Gorleston Library, to meet the design team at one of three staffed drop-in sessions, and to share their views. People could also feedback online.

Public feedback has since been evaluated and is helping to shape the look and feel of a final design for the new facility, which will be subject to formal consultation as part of the planning application process later in the year. The level of responses and turn-out at the drop-in sessions was positive.

About the respondents

A total of 294 completed responses were received during the two weeks. Of these:

• 73.13% use the Marina Centre and 26.87% do not
• 39.46% are male, 57.14% are female, 3.4% prefer not to say
• The largest single age brackets of respondents were 35-54 (36.39%), 55-64 (16.33%), and 65+ (29.59%)
• 11.56% of respondents consider themselves to be disabled
• When asked how they would prefer to travel to the new complex, by far the most common answer was car/motorcycle (58.84%) followed by walking (16.33%) and bus (9.86%)

Respondents' thoughts about the concept designs

Respondents were asked to answer four multiple-choice questions, rating a range of aspects about the concept designs from 'very important' through to 'not important'. Below is a high level analysis of the responses.

Design Principles - How important are the following design elements to you?
Top two responses (very important):

• The sustainability aspects incorporated into the design including use of low energy lighting, use of natural light etc
• Parking and outdoor frontage

Bottom two responses (not important):

• Visibility of the first floor exercise area
• First floor terrace that can be used for fitness classes

Community Spaces - How important are the following proposals to you?

Top two responses (very important):

• Internal space for the community
• Café with views to the beach

Bottom two responses (not important):

• Free access via the walkthrough in the building leading to the café
• Café with views to the beach

Family Fitness and Exercise Areas - How important are the following proposals to you?

Top two responses (very important):

• Multi-use sports hall
• Fitness studios e.g. gym and group cycle

Bottom two responses (not important):

• Party room
• Climbing zone

Leisure Water Options - As well as a 25 metre (6 lane) swimming pool with disabled access and a learner pool with movable floor, which of the following leisure water ideas would you like to see incorporated if possible?

Top two responses (very important/important):

• Wet play structures
• Child's play

Bottom two responses (not important):

• More adventurous rides
• Water flumes and tubes

Response - Respondents welcome this major investment in the borough, with the architectural designs and visual appearance being well received.Several elements already incorporated into the design are very important to most respondents, and this is feedback is useful when finalising the detailed designs.

Specific public comments and responses

People were asked if they have any general comments to make about the new Water and Leisure Complex:

• Pleased with the architectural design and visual appearance
• Pleased the centre's revised footprint
• Pleased with benefits for seafront and economy
• Pleased with benefits for the community, health and well-being
• Ensuring the facility is affordable for local people

Response: The Council is currently working with its leisure provider to ensure that the fees for the new Centre will be affordable to all.

• Concerns about losing the public toilet to the north were raised

Response: The building designs have been reviewed and four outward facing public toilets have been added to the new Centre.

• Concerns about the disruption to the seafront during the works were raised

Response: The design team are currently undertaking detailed project timeline planning for the construction element of the project with the overall aim of minimising any disruptions to the seafront.

• Concerns about the displacement of Centre users to the works were raised

Response: The Council has been working hard with its leisure provider and various clubs and user groups to try and identify alternative provisions for the users during the closure of the Centre.

• Concerns were raised about the loss of a dedicated skating facility and the impact this will have on the younger generation

Response: The Council has been working with both Retroskate and the Artistic Roller Skating Club to find an alternative venue. The sports hall in the new facility will be able to be used for rollerskating. In addition to this the Council has undertaken a detailed equalities impact assessment to ensure that the new Centre will provide good opportunities for younger people to take part in physical activity across all the facilities which will be provided in the new Centre.

• Concerns were raised about the loss of the current indoor bowling facility and the impact this will have on elderly and disabled persons that currently use this facility

Response: The Council has been working with the Bowls club, including its chairperson and Members to find an alternative venue. The sports hall in the new facility will provide a facility for the playing of short mat bowls once built, although this would not allow for the club to compete in league competitions. In addition to this the Council has undertaken a detailed equalities impact assessment to ensure that the new Centre will provide good opportunities for older people to take part in physical activity across all the facilities that will be provided in the new Centre.

• A desire to make the pool a 50-metre competition standard pool was raised

Initial response: This was considered as part of the early feasibility work of the project where it was identified that a community based pool was required to support the needs of the residents in the Borough rather than a competition standard pool.

Update: Following engagement with Swim England and Great Yarmouth Swimming Club, the main pool will be upgraded for competition use, including timing clocks, starting blocks and tiered seating for 120 spectators.

• Concerns were raised in making sure that the new complex is fully accessible for disabled users

Response: This is a key consideration for the Council, and already the design proposals include a changing places facility. In addition to this specific work is ongoing to ensure the main pool access is fully accessible to all. A detailed equalities impact assessment has also been completed to ensure that this is fully considered as the project is further developed.

• Concerns were raised by existing Club 88 users who enjoy the ability to use the sports hall and play table tennis within the same area.

Response: As a result the building design has been changed to allow for a meeting room to be accessed from the sports hall, which will then be used for table tennis as required.