Dorset Council has confirmed it is preparing to hand over the running of Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre (QELC) to the owners, Queen Elizabeth’s School Trust on 31 March 2024.

Although the dual-use agreement between Dorset Council and Queen Elizabeth’s School (part of Initio Learning Trust) had another 60 years to run, Dorset Council can no longer afford to fund the loss-making centre.

The school will take over the management of the building, and students will be able to use the facilities including the gym, sports hall, dance studio, hard court, athletics area and newly re-laid and refurbished astro-turf pitch. The swimming pool will be available after the completion of planned works.

Whilst it won’t be run as a public leisure centre, new arrangements are being developed by the school to provide opportunities for clubs and community groups to hire the facilities.

Liz West, chief executive officer of Initio Learning Trust, said: “We are disappointed that Dorset Council has cut funding and will no longer run QELC.

“We have explored every possible way of maintaining the leisure centre, including through partnerships with private operators, but without significant capital investment it simply is not viable.

“Dorset Council were asked to provide funding to support this development but, unfortunately, they were unable to do so.

“Whilst QELC won’t be run as a public leisure centre, QE students will still use the facilities for lessons as they always have, and they will continue to receive a first-class education in sport and fitness.

“We also recognise the important role that QELC plays in the local community, and we are developing opportunities for clubs and community groups to hire the facilities.

“The building itself needs improvement and we are still in negotiations with Dorset Council to secure their contribution for the works.

“They have committed to handing back the QELC building in good condition and have set aside a £730k budget. We very much hope and expect that this funding will be provided in full.”

Dorset Council says that following the decision by elected members back in early 2022, the trustees were given two years’ notice by Dorset Council confirming that they would withdraw from the current management arrangements at QELC at the end of March 2024. At this point, the day-to-day operation of the facility becomes the responsibility of the owners: Queen Elizabeth’s School Trust, who also own the adjacent school at Wimborne Minster.

This decision was made as the Council subsidises QELC by around £500,000 each year, which is around a third of their overall leisure centres budget. In an area where seven public leisure facilities are within a 20-minute drive of QELC – three of which are owned by Dorset Council – it was considered that the Council could not justify the continued public-funding of the centre.

As the Trust has been unable to reach an agreement with a new partner to manage the facility, they have now confirmed that QELC will cease operating as it does now on 31 March 2024.

The facilities will still be utilised for the school curriculum and made available for community clubs and groups during non-school use times. Future bookings and administration will be managed through the school’s staff.

QELC currently has around 40 permanent employees; nine full-time workers, with a further 31 in part-time roles. Everyone in scope of potential redundancy has now entered a 45-day period of formal consultation with Dorset Council, via 1:1 support and in liaison with trade unions.

During this time, those in scope will be kept informed of redeployment opportunities and vacant posts that the Council has across its other services (including Leisure Services), where they will be given priority if they meet the requirements of the role.

Dorset Council will work with Initio Learning Trust (who operate Queen Elizabeth’s School) over the coming months to inform current QELC customers, user groups, and clubs about what is happening with services and scheduled activities in the future.

If anyone has any questions about services and activities at QELC from 1 April 2024 onwards, please contact office@queenelizabeths.com or call 01202 885233.

To discuss existing services and activities at QELC up to 31 March 2024, please contact the centre via Queenelizabeth@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or by calling 01202 888208