Have your say on Donyngs improvement plans, by Maud Alleyne from thebestof Redhill.
Did you know that Donyngs was built in the early 80s and is therefore now over 25 years old?
Since I live just round the corner from Donyngs and my kids use it a lot for swimming and other activities, I was delighted to see that the detailed proposals for a £3.4m revamp of Donyngs Recreation Centre in Redhill have gone on show today (Monday 26 April 2010).
This is our chance to tell Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Nuffield Health, who run the centre, what we think of the improvement plans... but we only have 2 weeks to do so ... so please make the time to have your say too.
A display in Donyngs’ foyer shows the new layout for the centre, artist’s impressions of the proposed new facilities and information about the refurbishment programme, along with feedback forms so we can all give our views.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Nuffield Health also tell us that their representatives will be available on site at specific times to discuss the proposals with visitors. The proposals is also be available to view on the Council’s website www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk.
From my point of view, I am delighted that the centre is finally getting a well deserved make over which I believe can only be an improvement on its current state.
We understand that over £320,000 will be spent on new gym equipment alone with approximately 30 per cent more exercise stations. The gym will be relocated to accommodate the additional equipment, a children’s fitness gym a physio room and a Health MOT room.
The fitness facilities will be modernised with an extended dance/exercise studio. The reception area, main changing rooms, toilets, and soft play areas for young children are to be refurbished and the centre will benefit from a significant redecoration programme.
The swimming pool will benefit from retiling and improvements to the existing tiled areas. There will also be improvements to the pool plant equipment which will add to the significant amount of work and investment that has already taken place in this area.
Subject to planning approval, a range of improvements to the outside of the building aim to make it more inviting, including three new windows in the pool hall overlooking Linkfield Lane; improvements to the main entrance; repainting of the building’s metal framework; repaving around the entrance; better lighting; improved signage and new cycle racks and seating. The large concrete planter outside the entrance will also be demolished to improve access and create more space for cycle parking and pedestrians.
Behind the scenes, there will be a new air conditioning system for the gym and exercise areas, along with improvements to the lighting, heating and ventilation systems, mechanical plant, electrical wiring and fire alarms that will be designed to increase efficiency and reduce power and water usage.
The consultation runs for two weeks, closing on Monday 10 May. Please make your way to Donyngs reception or comments can be emailed to tim.prior@reigate-banstead.gov.uk. Alternatively send your comments in writing to Tim Prior, Project Manager, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate RH2 0SH.
Feedback from the consultation will be passed to the design team and the results displayed at the centre in the coming weeks. It is anticipated that work will get underway later in the summer, in August. Whilst there will be some disruption to services it is planned that the centre will remain open to the public throughout.