CHRISTCHURCH’S Two Riversmeet Centre has dramatically reduced its deficit thanks to ongoing improvements at the leisure facility.

Councillors at the scrutiny and policy review committee heard from leisure services manager Paul Rutter about the ongoing improvements, which have led to the savings.

A refurbishment programme has seen the construction of two synthetic turf pitches, car park improvements, and a new BMX track.

And £400,000 was used to extend the fitness suite, which was officially opened in 2012.

The committee was told the centre saw an income of more than £1million, £17,231 up on budget.

Expenditure was reduced, resulting in a net deficit of £128,788, saving £91,675 on the budgeted deficit of £220,463. The car park made £70,000.

A report to the committee said: “The deficit/subsidy at Two Rivers-meet is exceptionally low for a community leisure centre of this type and this has been aided by the council’s willingness to support business proposals put forward by officers.”

Cllr Paul Hilliard, while praising officers for their work, asked if the results could be ‘even better’.

Paul Rutter said: “It could always be better of course. But in a number of areas we are at capacity.

“Activities such as swimming we are looking at developing and we are trying to promote all the facilities we have got generally.

“It is also about improving what we have got as much as possible.

“Leisure is such an ever-changing environment, it’s important to keep up with the new developments.”

A project to convert the golf course to nine holes was delayed due to flooding last year and will be officially opened in April.