Purpose

Ransomes Sports Centre has grass pitches for
football and cricket, a Bowls Green and a Pavilion with communal
space, changing facilities, toilets and kitchen.
 
The grounds and pavilion are available to
hire, which account for the majority of all attendances to the
facility (c. 85% total usage) prior to 2024. Other uses of the
facility are from IBC hosting commercial fitness classes and health
and wellbeing sessions (Feel Good Suffolk, Strength & Balance),
which commenced in 2023 and have continued to grow.
 
Since IBC have begun delivering activities
from the facility, occupancy has risen from 18% (2023) to 27%
(projected 2024). This has been enabled by the growth of Feel-Good
Suffolk healthy behaviour sessions, strength & balance classes,
low impact fitness and Breathewell classes. All classes have
further room for growth in 2025 and beyond.
 
The facility is being financially subsidised
by the Council and an increase in the fees and charges is necessary
to significantly reduce the financial subsidy.

Decision

To increase charges sufficiently to ensure that
the Centre at least breaks even, as detailed below.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Average no. bookings/users

 2024 prices

 Revised Price

 Effective Date

 Pitch
Hiring

 161

 £65.50

 £80.00

 1st
July 2025

 Pavilion
Hiring (external)

 204

 £33.00

 £40.25

 1st
November 2024

 Pavilion
Hiring (internal grant funded activities)

 194

 £33.00

 £40.25

 1st
November 2024

 iCard

 34

 £20.00

 £20.20

 1st
November 2024

 Casual

 88

 £7.00

 £8.60

 1st
November 2024

 
Reason:
to ensure that the council is achieving full
cost recovery and the Sports Centre at least breaks even.