Penistone Leisure Centre to be granted new 30 year lease

CABINET members have approved plans to grant Penistone Leisure Centre a 30-year lease. Sporting Penistone currently uses the leisure centre under a tenancy at will. The plans request a community asset transfer of the leisure centre under a 30- year lease.

Penistone Leisure Centre, on Thurlstone Road, is a community run organisation that provides leisure and sporting activities for residents. It’s currently run by a few members of staff and several volunteers.

The extended lease will secure the centre’s future and allow them to apply for external grants. Some funding has already been won, but it’s subject to a long lease of the building.

Funding will support the leisure centre’s plans to expand, modernise and improve the facility. These improvements will help increase social cohesion, benefit residents’ physical and mental health, and provide additional leisure and community activities. As demand for the facility increases, Sporting Penistone also plans to extend opening hours.

Additional funding will help the site to build a meeting room, which will be available for treatments and therapy, arts and crafts, courses and adult learning. Plans also include a small café, which will also provide further space for residents to meet and talk, which tackles loneliness. The leisure centre will support all ages and abilities, from toddlers through to pensioners.

Matt Gladstone, Executive Director for Place, said: “Penistone Leisure Centre gives so much to the local community, from improving physical health to tackling isolation. A team of dedicated volunteers really make a difference in their local community.

“This extended lease will allow the centre to do so much more with their facility, improving it and making it a place for everyone to enjoy. I encourage anyone living in the area to pop along and attend a class, try out a new sport or even consider volunteering time at this fantastic site.”