Exciting plans are underway to create a brand-new community and leisure facility in Diss.
For many years South Norfolk Council has been asked by residents when it will we be investing in its leisure provision in Diss to bring it up to the standards of the Council’s other leisure centres, in Wymondham and Long Stratton.
Following the purchase of the John Grose site, the Council now has an opportunity to invest in a new community, health and fitness facility south of the Mere. The investment is helped by a grant of more than £1 million from the Greater Norwich Growth Board to create a new gym and a vibrant plaza area with views overlooking the Mere.
Cabinet Member, Cllr Kim Carsok, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to improve our offering in the town. We have already invested £4 million into upgrading our swimming pool, and now we are planning to take that further by creating a new community and leisure centre, as the initial phase of a possible wider regeneration plan for the South Mere area.”
The Council’s initial plans for the ground floor of the new facility include accessible toilets and changing facilities, community space and multi-use studio, a café and soft play area. The community space will be a bookable area for local clubs, classes and NHS health checks.
The first floor will be largely dedicated to a gym with fantastic views over the Mere.
Developing the John Grose site will create a better link between the town centre and Park Road. It will also generate much-needed footfall to the area and enable residents to enjoy the scenic views over the Mere with outdoor seating and café.
The new building will be sympathetically designed to fit seamlessly into its surroundings and be consistent with the existing buildings.
The Council is very experienced in delivering new development and leisure projects and work with industry specialists to get the best possible value for its residents. Knowing that the Council was investing in the John Grose site also allowed it to move the gym from the Swim Centre and turn that site into a specialist facility, where the Council can continue to teach hundreds of children and adults to swim.
Council run facilities are not like commercial gyms. The Council has different priorities, and its facilities are designed to suit all ages and abilities. The Council also works closely with our medical colleagues and accept medical referrals to ensure that the right kind of exercise is available to those who need, it as part of their medical treatment.
Building a new Community and Leisure Centre is a major project and just like everyone else the Council must go through the planning process. Being a public sector body the Council also has to go through procurement exercises to make sure it gets the best value for its taxpayers.
The next part of the project is to explore the opportunity for developing a new bus station and health facilities on the other side of the road to the new community and leisure centre.
A series of public consultation events will be held later in the spring.
