Going back to last week, I along with a number of Councillors was given a tour of the various facilities operated by Tandridge Leisure Limited (TLL) in the district. TLL was formed back in 2000 from the Leisure Directorate of TDC, when the government's funding arrangements made it more sensible to set up a community trust to operate the two leisure centres than for the Council to continue to operate them.
Unfortunately the two swimming pools are starting to show their age and will require substantial investment over coming years. However both are very well equipped - the gyms would put most private health clubs to shame - and very well patronised.
And even more impressive was 'The Arc', a new facility opened on the Caterham Barracks site, which provides a soft play centre and a variety of spaces that can be used from anything to art classes for the disabled to hosting teenage band nights. This is a wonderful space and one TLL are using to the benefit of the community.
TLL also gave us a presentation on the wide range of activities they put on in the community every week, the majority aimed at young people, including the Surrey Youth Games, but many more that are not. They reach 1800 young people per week. I for one was largely unaware of these activities, but having seen just a couple of highlights was convinced that they are doing a great job catering for this unprovided for age group.
I left feeling that Tandridge is much the better for having TLL
