October 2010
Cornwall Council propose closing Camelford Leisure Centre for financial reasons (£180,000 annual deficit)
November & December 2010
Mass local protest with trips to County Hall to attend council meetings and raise questions for members. Council decide to give the community a year to develop a business plan for taking the centre into community management. Closure postponed to April 2012
Spring 2011
Small group formed to look at possible business models to enable the centre to stay open in a financially viable way.
Friends of Camelford Leisure Centre formed to mobilise local support for the survival of the Centre
Application to Sport England for funding for biomass heating
Summer 2011
Application for funding for Community Consultation
Potential business plans refined to include reduced heating costs with biomass, reduced staffing and reducing pool depth to allow for non-lifeguarded sessions.
November 2011
Work with Cooperatives UK to select a business model for the new community business and Camelford Leisure Centre Ltd (an Industrial & Provident Society with Community Benefit) is incorporated.
Presentation to Cornwall Council in Truro of Business Plan is successful and we are given until August 2012 to complete the takeover. Cornwall Council agree funding to address some of the maintenance backlog.
Sport England offer grant of £50,000 towards biomass heating.
Spring 2012
Community Consultation shows widespread support for the leisure Centre but some concern at lack of lifeguards. Plans adapted to ensure at least one member of staff in building at all times. Health and Safety review commissioned to get outside specialist advice as to implications of new way of working.
Summer 2012
Plans to link pool heating to Primary School boilers not viable so costs of installing a new biomass boiler investigated. Ongoing support from Cornwall Council allows takeover date to be delayed until December 2012
Continued work via Co-operatives UK (KABIN) to determine structure and responsibilities of board of directors and develop the company rules.
October 2012
Recruitment and training of potential directors. Local Business Support group tasked to assist in the transition to new management.
November 2012
Board meets and advertises for a “Managing Director”. Four applications and Interview date is set
December 2012.
Interviews held and Wayne Jordan-Shilling appointed as MD.
Forest Fuels selected to run tendering process for new biomass boiler and project manage its installation.
12th December 2012 – TAKEOVER DAY !!
Centre is closed until 2nd January while work to change the Reception Area is completed-mainly by volunteers. Desk is moved from under the stairs to by the pool and new door is created to pool.
New staff employed as lifeguards and coaches ready for re-opening in January.
2nd January 2013
Camelford Leisure Centre opens under Community Management
January 2013
Biomass boiler goes out to tender
Spring
Biomass Boiler installation starts. Loan for balance of funding arranged with PURE
Platform for deep end of pool arrives, is repaired and fitted
Storage area alongside Sports Hall is repurposed as an enlarged and re-equipped fitness suite allowing all day access to users.
July 2013
New signage and branding installed
Biomass works completed and commissioned – No more Oil!!