REPORT
7. Since that time considerable progress has been made despite the difficult circumstances created by the Covid pandemic.
8. The member officer working group has met twice with the consultants (in March and August 2020) to consider and progress matters and provide feedback particularly in relation to the Leisure Centre and Theatre which as pointed out above were the priority with other wider masterplanning issues to follow in due course.
9. The input from the member officer working group has proved invaluable and allowed the Director of Environment with advice from the group to work with the consultants to accelerate the project in terms of concept, vision and design.
Consultant’s Report
10.A copy of the most recent consultant’s report (RIBA stage I briefing and feasibility) as endorsed by the member officer working group is attached (appendix 1).
Work is ongoing regarding further detailed design development.
11.The report demonstrates that with regard to the leisure centre and theatre this is potentially a high quality, visually attractive, transformational and state-of-the-art facility that is much more than simply a leisure centre development.
The focus is on customer appeal, future flexibility and income generating opportunities.
12.The initial exploratory options with regard to the rest of Eastwood Park including Eastwood house are at an early stage.
They are simply being flagged up as potential possibilities and will be the subject of a future report to the Council.
Key points since December 2019:
Summary
13.In summary the current position in terms of key points established since December 2019 is that;
•The lead designer, architect and masterplan, Stallan Brand, have led the process with the member officer working group to enable a clear vision to be developed and understood.
•The Leisure Centre and Theatre could be accommodated within Eastwood Park as a tandem build allowing all existing uses to remain operational during construction.
•A specific and preferred site has been established within Eastwood Park which offers significant improvement to the quality of the park space and enhances the setting of Eastwood House and St Ninian’s.
•The preferred site is fairly flat which is ideal for a Leisure Centre and Theatre and benefits from being set within attractive mature trees.
•Eastwood Park benefits from existing vehicle access and good access to public transport which the proposals can improve through management and design of the facilities.
•Eastwood Park also benefits from existing drainage and infrastructure which will help avoid additional costs associated with the other sites.
•Locating the new Leisure Centre and Theatre in Eastwood Park optimises the potential to retain existing customers and the benefits to the surrounding area including shops and restaurants whilst recognising this as a potential key civic asset in East Renfrewshire.
•All of the above now demonstrates that given the further detailed consideration carried out in terms of option appraisals the choice of Eastwood Park represents better value than the other potential sites.
•The proposals for the Leisure Centre and Theatre have been developed in more detail involving regular meetings / workshops with the Leisure Trust throughout 2020.
This has enabled development of a clear vision which confirms that a transformational facility which will benefit from the stunning setting can be delivered as a tandem build on the preferred site.
•The proposals have been developed to enable some flexibility in the facilities which can be accommodated inside and outside the building ensuring the customer experience can be optimised and the building is adaptable to change over time (for example, to suit changes in fitness trends in the fitness suite and fitness studios).
•The proposals have identified that some additionality can be accommodated within the building on the preferred site to optimise the benefits.
Key examples include the potential to incorporate a library, agile workspace, studio theatre and outdoor cinema / theatre as well as being able to be suitable to host a wide range of events.
•The proposals establish a clear building functionality diagram which will deliver excellent sustainability credentials including energy efficiency.
•All of this has given the member officer working group confidence to recommend to the Director of Environment that a Project Manager be appointed with an associated design team including engineers and cost consultants as soon as possible and to advance the project at pace where possible.
These measures are now in place.
Turner and Townsend who have in-depth previous experience and knowledge regarding Eastwood Leisure Centre have now been appointed as project manager.
This has allowed the project to be progressed substantially.
They will take the project up to RIBA stage 4.
•Consultations were carried out in September with all of the primary and secondary schools in East Renfrewshire to gather ideas which have been taken on board.
•A Proposal of Application Notice will be submitted in December 2020 with a detailed planning application at the end of March 2021 and most importantly a target site start of around October 2021.