COUNCIL bosses have said the authority is confident it will turn around the financial fortunes of one of its newest – and most expensive – leisure facilities.

Colchester Sports Park is projected to lose nearly £600,000 by the end of the current financial year, meaning it will have run up losses of more than £1.3million since it opened in the summer of 2021.

But Colchester Council has said it expects to balance the books at the facility by 2026.

A spokesman for the authority said it welcomed the opportunity to clarify data regarding its leisure facilities operation.

He said: “Colchester Sports Park has seen impressive income growth.

Gazette: New – Colchester Sports Park opened in 2021 at a cost of £29millionNew – Colchester Sports Park opened in 2021 at a cost of £29million (Image: Colchester Council)

“Revenue has increased by 25 per cent from 2022-23 to 2023-24 and is up a significant 45 per cent since the park opened in 2021.

“This success is due in part to partnerships with national governing bodies and strategic marketing efforts.

“These initiatives not only improve the park's commercial performance but also contribute to its positive social impact.

“The business plan for Colchester Sports Park projected profitability within a timeframe of four to five years.

“We are confident the facility will achieve this target within the planned timescale.”

Leisure World remains Colchester Council’s most profitable leisure asset, even though running costs for the facility are expected to be £1.9million by the end of the current financial year – a huge increase from the £1million recorded in 2018-19.

The spokesman added: “The increase in premises-related expenses at Leisure World is primarily due to rising energy costs, a challenge faced by the entire leisure sector.

“We are actively mitigating these costs through successful bids for grant support and implementing energy-saving initiatives across our facilities.”

Gazette: Costly – premises related expenses at Leisure World were £1 million in 2018-19, but are expected to be £1.9million by the end of the current financial yearCostly – premises related expenses at Leisure World were £1 million in 2018-19, but are expected to be £1.9million by the end of the current financial year (Image: Steve Brading)

A recent pay rise which was won by the council’s aerobics instructors has also been taken into account by council bosses.

“It is also important to acknowledge the impact of rising staff costs following a recent pay rise," they said.

“We are committed to finding a sustainable balance between investing in our staff and keeping all of our facilities affordable.”

According to Colchester Council, “strategic improvements” are behind the increase in profits made by the Leisure World Tennis Centre, with data showing customer and client receipts were behind an expected £60,000 increase in profits from 2022-23 to 2023-24.