SUPPORTERS of a community leisure centre are celebrating after securing an £82,000 boost.

Osprey Leisure Centre on Portland will use the grant to fund improvement plans over the next five years including making it more disabled-friendly.

The funding from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council will make up the deficit in the leisure centre’s current capital plans budget totalling £213,000.

The centre, a former Royal Naval facility in Castletown, has been run by the South Dorset Community Sports Trust since 2007 when the council passed over management. When that happened, the council agreed a five-year phased funding arrangement totalling £160,000.

With the end of that funding, the trust asked for further financial support.

Customer numbers have trebled since 2007 but there are still significant building maintenance issues and the cost of utilities has risen dramatically. The council deferred making a decision earlier this year to the dismay of the trust and some councillors.

The request was reviewed again this week by the council’s management committee which approved a one-off capital injection of £82,000 towards the trust’s capital plans.

Councillors favoured this route rather than an annual grant of £40,000 for five years which had been the trust’s preferred option.

General manager of the trust Nigel Williams said: “We’re happy that the council still wants to remain in partnership with us.

“The capital investment of £82,000 was not quite what we had hoped for but in the current climate it is very welcome.”

He added: “Members were disappointed by the decision of the council not to grant funding earlier this year but I told them it would be reviewed in the summer. True to their word the council looked at it again and has given us what it can afford which is welcome.”

Mr Williams said the trust was hoping to build a new cafeteria. A plan to improve access to the second floor for disabled customers has been abandoned and instead there will be investment in gym equipment for less able-bodied people on the ground floor and the reception area will be more accessible.

Council spokesman for Community Facilities Andy Blackwood said “It is excellent news the borough council has been able to offer this funding to the leisure centre trust. It is an important facility for the residents of Portland and beyond, offering crucial recreational activities.”

Capital injection is one-off

COUNCILLORS at the management committee meeting agreed a one-off capital injection rather than an annual grant scheme.

Finance spokesman Peter Chapman said: “We shouldn’t commit without knowing we can fund them in the future. Osprey enjoys a lot of support. It’s a fantastic facility but could do with a higher profile.”

Coun Geoff Petherick said he couldn’t support any spending given that the council had made a £2m commitment to repairing the harbour walls.

Committee chairman Mike Goodman said: “We don’t have unlimited money but we can top up their capital spending and leave the door open for the future.”