The new fitness area on Queen's Drive next to the temporary events space is expected to remain unlet this year due to drainage and health and safety issues.

The area had been a temporary car park since 2019 before it was grassed over in March 2021. The plan was for it become a community fitness space, and use of the area was given to an Exmouth gym.

But several issues with the area, including drainage, lighting, and more, led the operator to end their agreement with the council early in September 2021.

Issues with the site

A report to the Exmouth Queen's Drive Delivery Group stated that there were issues 'both with drainage causing boggy puddles but also rutting, both causing health & safety concerns.'

People reportedly parking cars in front of the access gate when the car park was busy led to at least one class being cancelled as no access would have been available in the event of an emergency.

The absence of a place to shelter from the rain, a lack of lighting, and people walking across the site also contributed to the site only being used for a maximum of three hours a week.

What's next?

The report said that 'it is therefore quite possible that this grass will remain unlet for 2022', and that council officers should look into whether it would be viable to do further ground works - but the cost could make the space unviable.

There was one party interested at the time, the Exmouth Beach Volleyball Club, but no other expressions of interest.

A representative for the club said that building a beach volleyball facility with flat, clean sand and permanent posts on the site could make Exmouth a 'regional centre' for the sport and complement the Sideshore Watersports Centre.

However, the district council is currently only able to offer a one-year arrangement until a permanent decision on how to use the land is made. This makes it difficult for the club to get grant funding, but the council could discuss short term usage with the club.

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