Farnham and Godalming leisure centre upgrades deferred but Cranleigh project still on
The £3.2 million expansions of leisure centres in Farnham and Godalming have been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
After two years of waiting for residents, the projects will not be going ahead unless councillors can be sure the investments are worth it, as the leisure industry is hit by ongoing restrictions caused by Covid-19.
However Waverley Borough Council (WBC) will progress with a new multi-million pound leisure centre in Cranleigh, due to open in 2023.
Councillor Liz Townsend, portfolio holder for economic development and leisure at WBC, said: “Leisure centres had a forced and prolonged period of closure, with no financial help from government.
“Farnham and Godalming projects will be deferred. Whilst this is disappointing, it will allow for a necessary and reasonable period of time in which we can assess the impact on the leisure industry from Covid restrictions.”
“In August gyms were once again able to open their doors, but in Waverley only about half the customers returned.” she added.
The council will look again at the two projects in 2023 and decide whether to go ahead with them.
