Bracknell Leisure Centre is to get a £1.6 million refurbishment after councillors voted to stump up the funds. But a leading councillor has suggested the council could soon come up with plans to build a new leisure centre altogether.

The £1.6 million will be paid to private company Everyone Active, which runs the centre on the council’s behalf, for upgrades.

Improvements include a new children’s play zone, an additional fitness studio and a refurbished and redecorated spa. The squash courts will also be relocated, with two new glass-backed courts provided.

Councillors voted to stump up the improvement funds at a full council meeting on Wednesday, July 12.

But during the meeting, Bracknell Forest councillor Kandy Jefferies, the executive member for Culture, Delivery and Public Protection, said the council’s leadership would also come up with plans to replace Bracknell Leisure Centre.

Councillor Jefferies said: “The development of our leisure centre and estate is key to ensuring our community has access to the best services.”

READ MORE: Bracknell Leisure Centre could get £1.6 million for upgrade

Conservative councillor John Harrison backed the proposal from the Labour-controlled executive. But he asked what plans the council had to consult residents on spending.

He also asked if the council had plans for longer term investment on new facilities. He said: “People might wonder why are we spending a lot of money on a leisure centre that is of a certain age. It is well over 50 and sometimes things that are over 50 need a bit work doing on them.

“If we’re looking ahead 20 years the leisure centre is going to cost us an awful lot of money given the age of the building. We do need to be looking at some of investment plan and some sort of vision for the future.”

Councillor Jefferies replied that the council would do that. He said: “We’re focussed on the first stages of support for the current structure.

“But we will be bringing forward a sports and leisure strategy which will include the replacement of the current Bracknell Leisure Centre.”

Labour council leader Mary Temperton said that any future plans would be put to residents. She said: “Nothing could ever be produced as far as the sports centre without full consultation of all the residents.

“There’s got to be a full face-to-face consultation, not just an online consultation. We’ve got to be out there, talking to the people and persuading them this is going to be really fantastic.”

Councillors voted to back the spending by 37 votes in favour and one against.