Overview
Further to producing an initial scoping report, Max Associates was commissioned by Hyndburn Council to develop a full Strategic Outcomes Planning Model (SOPM).
Outcomes
The Council and Trust submitted an expression of interest for Sport England Funding in August 2022 and were successful meaning they submitted a full application for the funding. The Council secured £2.4 million Sport England funding and the Wilson Sports Village leisure centre is currently under construction, due to open in 2025.
Testimonial
“Hyndburn Leisure and Hyndburn Borough Council started working with Sport England in January 2019 to understand the potential to enhance the existing leisure offer to maximise positive outcomes for the local community.
We have followed Sport England’s Strategic Outcomes Planning Model (SOPM). The team at Max Associates guided us through the effective use of this model and have brought together a wide variety of information, data and narrative to identify a strategic vision for Leisure investment in Hyndburn.
I would not hesitate to recommend Max Associates to other areas who are on a similar journey. The team have significant experience of supporting Councils and Leisure Trusts through the SOPM process, and their input and support has strengthened our ability to develop a strong and viable Leisure Transformation vision which will benefit our community for many years to come.”
Lyndsey Sims, Chief Executive Officer, Hyndburn Leisure Trust
Summary of Project
The main driver behind this project was the goal of delivering a thriving leisure offer for the local community that will offer more opportunities and transform the health of the local population.
The facility portfolio included three key sites: Hyndburn Leisure Centre, Mercer Hall Leisure Centre and Wilson Athletics track. In addition to the three key leisure facilities Hyndburn Leisure Trust also manages a dual use site, Norden Sports Centre, and from January 2021 the management of Accrington Academy’s Sports facilities transferred to Hyndburn Leisure Trust.
In order to understand the current and future facility and service requirements for Hyndburn in relation to sport and physical activity, Max Associates undertook a full review to ensure any future investment into facilities and services will directly impact the delivery of the Council local strategic outcomes and priorities.
The planning model included: local and national context, under-represented groups, health priorities in the area, consultations findings, identification of key stakeholder groups, outlined facility interventions required, design options and business models.
Our key facility intervention recommendations were:
- Refurbish Hyndburn Leisure Centre – address backlog maintenance, refurbish existing facilities and create a commercial offer;
- Replace Mercer Hall with a small community facility – a small community pool and fitness facilities; and
- Refurbish Wilson Athletics Track facilities, with the potential of incorporating into the replacement Mercer Hall facility.
