East Riding of Yorkshire Council has issued a further update on proposals for the new Goole Hub, following the closure of the public consultation.
Over 500 responses were received from local people in relation to the proposed £12million development of Goole Leisure Centre, which is being part-funded by the Goole Town Deal. One of the major changes to the plans following the consultation is the decision not to reduce the size of the current sports hall.
The Goole Times previously shared concerns from users of the facility about the impact reducing the size of the hall would have, and the council have now listened to those concerns and decided to retain the full size of the hall. As previously announced, the council has also made the decision to keep Goole Museum in its current location on Carlisle Street instead of moving it to the new Goole Hub development, which will also lead to more space being available for the library within the new hub. Another change to the original plans is the addition of a new Health Suite, which will be designed to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents, and offer a wide range of programmes.
Councillor Anne Handley, deputy leader of the council, and Goole ward councillor, said: “I would like to thank everybody who has responded to the consultation, and assure all respondents that every single response has been considered. “A wide range of views was expressed, and firstly, I am very happy to reassure all those who were concerned about the future of Goole Museum that it will indeed be staying as it is, and where it is.” She added: “We have also received many comments about the proposals for the relocated Goole Library, and I would like to stress that we are going to amend our proposals to ensure that the new library will include additional space, as compared to the original plans.
“The new library will also operate on the Open Plus system, which we have already successfully introduced elsewhere in the East Riding, extending library access times beyond current opening hours. “Relocating the library to the same building as other council facilities is an investment in its future, saving public money, whilst maintaining and improving the service. All current library activities can transfer across to the new site, and new ones will be added in larger spaces being made available to library users, whilst we can also create a Reading Café, a concept which has proven hugely popular elsewhere.” The council has also addressed concerns from users of the leisure centre regarding the closure of the facility during the proposed works, saying East Riding Leisure members will be given reduced membership fees during the closure period, and will be able to use any other East Riding Leisure Centre during the closure. Work is also ongoing to provide extensive alternative opportunities during this period.
Councillor Handley continued: “We acknowledge that the closure period for the leisure centre during construction will cause inconvenience, and we apologise for this, but it is essential in order to provide the improved facilities. “We will work hard with all the clubs and organisations which currently use East Riding Leisure Goole to provide the best alternative arrangements that we can during the closure. “The new Hub will accommodate the majority of current activities after it opens, particularly because options are being considered to retain the Sports Hall as it is now.”
Some features of the original plans which are currently still included in the plans include the development of a 10-pin bowling alley, adventure soft play area, Tag Active immersive social and active leisure experience, a new learner pool and a new food court. The council says the gym in the new hub will be comparable to other East Riding leisure facilities featuring state of the art equipment in redesigned spaces, and the new café and food court will be a “considerable improvement” on the current one, providing a space for residents and customers to socialise, enhancing the activities on offer. Concerns about the future of other buildings in the town has also been addressed, with the council saying it is keen to stress that it intends to ensure that all the buildings it currently owns in Goole will be given another use, and will not be left empty. A planning application will be submitted later this year for the Goole Hub. The application will be available for the public to see online via the council’s planning portal, and more details of the final proposals will be shared at that stage.
ERYC has announced its updated plans for the new Goole Hub following public consultation. (27-10-121 SU)
