Blake Morgan advises Merton Council on new modern leisure centre

Leading law firm Blake Morgan has advised the London Borough of Merton on the successful construction and outsourcing of services at the new Morden Leisure Centre, which officially opens this Saturday (30 March).

Blake Morgan supported the council in replacing the old Morden Park Pool with the brand new family leisure centre with state-of-the-art equipment. The firm advised Merton on the successful outsourcing of leisure services at the new centre to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) and worked closely with the council at each step of the construction process, advising on the contractual structure of the design and build elements of the scheme, as well as the incorporation of the new facility into the existing leisure services contract.

The project was led by Blake Morgan partner Penny Rinta-Suksi, an expert in commercial law and local government, alongside team members Joanna Rees, David Evans, Nicola Williams, Simon McCann, Ollie Clymow, Dominic Elster and Cathy Bryant. Blake Morgan has a long-standing relationship with the London Borough of Merton and worked on an earlier leisure project with the council. The council also employed Damien Adams of FMG as its leisure advisor, who Blake Morgan and the council have successfully worked with on a number of matters.

Penny Rinta-Suksi, partner in the commercial team at Blake Morgan, who led on the project, said: “It’s been a pleasure supporting the London Borough of Merton on this scheme, and Morden Leisure Centre is a great facility we’re sure will be well-used by the local community. We’re pleased to have worked closely with Christine Parsloe on this, who’s tirelessly driven the project through with remarkable energy and passion. These are important contracts and deliver real health and social benefits to local residents. We hope people enjoy the new leisure centre.”

Christine Parsloe, Project Lead, London Borough of Merton, said: “On building projects such as this, combined with the complexities of incorporating a new facility into an existing operational contract, it is essential to have a legal team with all of the specialisms required. Blake Morgan provided these, which ensured that we could keep every element of this project running on time and to budget.  The results are an improved contractual arrangement with the operator and a fantastic family friendly leisure centre for all the community to enjoy for many years to come.”

Blake Morgan’s local government solicitors advise a wide range of clients, including Hampshire County Council, Reading Borough Council and Test Valley Borough Council, as well as the Department of Health and Social Care.