WOKINGHAM’S new leisure centre has taken a step forward after announcing plans to start negotiating with businesses keen to move in.
Last night, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive approved the start of pre-let negotiations for the leisure unit located on the ground floor of the new multi-storey car park at the Carnival Pool site.
In a statement released this morning, the council said it is in discussions with a number of interested parties including American Amusements Limited (AAL) – which currently runs the existing Big Apple bowling alley – about moving into the new unit once it is completed during the first phase of the project.
Councillors are also pledging that existing services will remain open during the extensive works which include building a new multi-storey car park.
Earlier this month when the South East Reserve Forces Cadet Association’s (SERFCA), currently based at the Carnival Pool site, received planning consent for a brand new facility in Elizabeth Park.
Councillor Philip Mirfin, executive member for regeneration and communities, said: “It’s exciting to see this all come together as it will allow us to start delivering the town centre our residents deserve.
“Over the coming months people will start to see things happening around the Carnival Pool site as we carry out a series of ground investigations and surveys.
“We are also going to be carrying out some works on the old Wellington House car parks as these will be used next year to provide temporary public parking while the new car park is built.
“We are making sure we manage all the surveys and works carefully so they don’t impact on car park and leisure users which will remain open throughout.”
Further details on alternative parking will be released by the Council early next year once a build contractor is in place and the detailed construction programme has been agreed.
The new multi-storey car park at the Carnival Pool site has been enabled through the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnerships Growth Deals funding which helps support projects benefitting the local area and economy.
