Latest News

Aura

Published: 21/03/2018

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet agreed Aura Leisure and Libraries’ Business Plan for 2018/19 and agreed to release revenue funding to Aura Leisure and Libraries (Aura) for 2018/19 totalling £3.773m. Mike Welch, Managing Director of Aura who presented the report to Cabinet, said: “Aura in partnership with Flintshire County Council, has made really positive progress in our first year of operation. We have retained services and jobs while making a 10% efficiency in the budget in 2017/18 (full year impact of £0.574m). “In addition, two major capital developments worth £2.4m will be completed this year which are both being funded by Aura and at no cost to the Council or Flintshire residents.” These exciting developments are at Mold Leisure Centre and Jade Jones Pavilion in Flint. A total of £1.447m is being invested in Mold Leisure Centre to double the size of the current ground floor fitness facility and to build an additional first floor studio. Construction started in January with the new facility due to open in the second half of May this year. Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Youth, Councillor Ian Roberts, said: “The improvements at Jade Jones Pavilion include an extension to the existing gym by removing the current management offices to create a 55 station gym and completely refurbish the existing swimming pool wet changing rooms with an increase provided in poolside spectator viewing. The costs of this scheme are estimated at just under £1m. “Future plans for other locations are also under development.” Aura has been operating since September last year. During this time, many of the original business plan key actions have been achieved including major staffing restructures in libraries and sports development and the extension of direct debit payment services.