A cash injection of £50,000 will tonight be sought to spark the continuing redevelopment of the Ongar campus site.

The money will be used for essential design work on the extension of the leisure centre.

Epping Forest Direct Services Board will be recommended to seek the release of the funds from capital balances administered by the council's resource committee.

Members will be told that the former school gymnasium will be revamped to include movement and fitness studios and changing facilities for outdoor pitches.

Authorisation will also be requested for the creation of a new post of assistant manager for the leisure centre complex to reflect growing activity.

Officers will be asked for a further report on centre finances, including building maintenance and the revenue from the new extension.

Head of leisure services Derek Macnab says in a report: "The importance of the site as a focus for the community, business enterprise and leisure activities has been recognised by both the district and county councils as well as local people.

"While there was strong opposition to the closure of the school, the redevelopment proposals have presented an opportunity to enhance leisure provision in the area."

His report reminds the board that agreed redevelopment included affordable housing, adult and community education buildings, enterprise and youth centres and replacement leisure facilities to compensate for the loss of the axed comprehensive school gym.

He says: "The two-storey extension would offer greater opportunities with a new Shapes Fitness Centre, changing rooms and toilets for outdoor sports on ground level and a movement studio at mezzanine level.

"Currently no formal design work has been commissioned and before this is undertaken it is difficult to assess the revenue implications."

Mr Macnab said it was intended that the former school cricket pitches would now be used fully but they needed some remedial work.

Councillors were told that the additional assistant manager was required because of increased opening hours.

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