The brief

Strategic Leisure Limited (SLL) was appointed by Harborough District Council to undertake a procurement exercise to identify a suitable partner, who could contribute to the estimated shortfall in funding for new plans for a wet and dry Sports Centre in Lutterworth.

In keeping with the principles of Best Value, the Council sought a ‘partner’ rather than a ‘contractor’ to operate, manage and invest in the new Sports Centre, as well as managing and operating Harborough Leisure Centre. In exchange for contributory funding the Council was willing to enter into long-term relationship with the preferred partner. SLL’s advice was for the Council to adopt a true partnership arrangement with a partner who embraced their vision, objectives, and who could provide a long term sustainable solution to the Council’s facility and strategic needs.

Our Approach

SLL conducted the procurement process and established a preferred partner, who met the Council’s financial and service objectives, involved the preferred partner in the development of the new facility. Completion of the new facility was planned for May 2004, with the partner operating both of Harborough’s leisure facilities as a complementary and coordinated service.

Project Outcomes

The result of the partnership has significant benefits for the Council, in summary these are;

• A long-term solution for the leisure centre service for 15 years
• A solution to the significant funding shortfall for the construction of the new facility
• A partner that shares the Council’s vision and partnership commitment
• The inclusion of specific Sports Development initiatives
• A performance management framework based upon on balanced scorecard for the future measurement of the performance of the service