Leisure Management Joint Venture Partner

East Hampshire District Council is committed to high quality leisure provision and is seeking a partner (or partners) who they can work with to deliver their vision and outcomes. As a result the Council is inviting tenders from prospective organisations to enter into a joint venture (the terms of which will be developed during the dialogue process but may include the establishment of a special purpose vehicle or a direct contractual arrangement) to develop and then operate the Council's Leisure Centres.

The existing facilities are as follows: Alton Sports Centre (ASC); Mill Chase Leisure Centre (MCLC), Whitehill and Bordon; Taro Leisure Centre (TLC), Petersfield. The Council is seeking through a joint venture arrangement, in which the Council is willing to explore sharing in the risk and reward, to deliver a replacement facility for Alton Sports Centre and a new facility for Whitehill and Bordon (to replace the Mill Chase Leisure Centre) and invest in the Taro Leisure Centre (Petersfield).

The successful entity will deliver services at all 3 venues under the terms of a management agreement (both pre and post capital investment). The Council will explore various funding options for the capital works including using existing reserves and funds, lending to the successful partner on appropriate rates or the successful bidder securing loans from a third party.

The Council will seek to drive down on-going management costs with the view to sharing in the income generated and aim to adopt a 0-subsidy arrangement. The Council is seeking a contractual arrangement lasting no less than 10 years (the maximum term will be confirmed during dialogue and be based on solutions from the market).

The contract commenced on 31/03/2017 and was due to expire on 31/03/2037.. However, the contract was extended on 27/05/2021 for a period of 5-years and is now due to expire on 31/03/2042.