Wiltshire Council will soon see its leisure centres, which were run by partners for many years, brought back in-house.
The council currently operates ten leisure centres in the county, with a further ten leisure centres that are managed on behalf of the council by Places Leisure.
In December 2020, the council’s cabinet decided to bring the Places Leisure-managed sites back in-house. Despite the “complex process”, the transition will take place from 1 October.
The council wants to provide a consistent service across the county, which will help to support and improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of its communities.
Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “We are making good progress on all the work involved in the transfer of the leisure centres.
“It’s a complex process but one we’re determined to get right, and we’re working hard to ensure as smooth a process as possible for residents and customers.
“Places Leisure has been an excellent partner for us and we’re working very closely with them to support staff through the process, with regular opportunities for consultation and provision of information. In the coming weeks, we will be working with them to provide customers and members with all the details they need to know about the new arrangements.
“Helping improve the wellbeing of residents is a crucial objective following the pandemic and providing a consistent service across our leisure sites will play a key part in that.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Places Leisure staff and customers to our leisure service.”
The leisure centres that will move from Places Leisure to Wiltshire Council management are:
- Bradford on Avon Swimming Pool
- Castle Place Leisure Centre, Trowbridge
- Lime Kiln Leisure Centre, Royal Wootton Bassett
- Leighton Recreation Centre, Westbury
- Melksham Blue Pool
- The Activity Zone, Malmesbury
- The Olympiad, Chippenham
- Trowbridge Sports Centre
- Warminster Sports Centre
- Westbury Swimming Pool
Places Leisure staff will transfer across to Wiltshire Council and will become council employees. Plans are ongoing to ensure as smooth a transition as possible for leisure centre users, staff and community organisations that use the facilities.
