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All Wiltshire Council leisure centres to be brought under council management
Ten leisure centres currently managed by Places Leisure will transfer to Wiltshire Council later this year
Published 28 May 2021
Wiltshire Council has confirmed plans to bring all of its leisure centres under its own management, with the transition coming into effect from October.
The council wants to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of its communities, and in December 2020, Cabinet made the decision to bring council leisure centres back in-house, which supports the council's ambition to provide an equitable level of quality leisure services across the county, with the aim of creating a more active Wiltshire.
The council currently operates 10 leisure centres across the south and east of the county, with 10 leisure centres in the north and west of the county that are managed on behalf of the council by Places Leisure. From October 2021, all leisure centres will be managed by Wiltshire Council.
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 & Gym
The Activity Zone, Malmesbury
The Olympiad, Chippenham
Trowbridge Sports Centre
Warminster Sports Centre
Westbury Swimming Pool
It is anticipated that Places Leisure staff will transfer to become Wiltshire Council employees, and plans are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition for Leisure centre users.
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, said:
The COVID pandemic has heightened the need for us to look after our health and wellbeing. We want to create as much opportunity as possible for our residents to be active, get healthy and stay well.
Our priority is to ensure that staff and users of these leisure centres enjoy a smooth transition to our management.
I'd like to thank Places Leisure for being tremendous partners and supporting our running of leisure services in the county.
All leisure members will be regularly updated on any changes as a result of the transition.
FAQs - general
The transfer is intended to take place on 1 October 2021.
Our ambition is to provide an equitable and consistent level of quality leisure services across the county, with the aim of creating a more active Wiltshire.
Yes. We have a comprehensive work programme in place to manage the process.
We are planning for the centres to remain open while the transition takes place.
FAQs - Places Leisure customers
Initially you will notice very little change. Our aim is to ensure there is as little disruption to the customer experience as possible. Any changes made will be communicated with customers in good time.
You will be able to continue to enjoy the facilities provided by your current membership without any interruption to service.
Yes, your Places Leisure membership will automatically transfer to Wiltshire Council. We will, however, write to you to let you know when this will be taking place.
The facilities provided will be exactly the same and it is our intention to provide the same, or similar services to Places Leisure, wherever possible.
Yes, all current Places Leisure members will be issued with a new membership card on their first visit to the leisure centre after the transfer.
Any booking that is made prior to 1 October 2021, even if it is for 1 October 2021 onwards, should be made with Places Leisure.
Places Leisure and Wiltshire Council do have different pricing structures. We are working on this. Where prices do need to change, we will look to minimise any impact. Some prices may reduce.
FAQs - current Wiltshire Council leisure members
We want to ensure our services are consistent and high quality throughout the county. Any changes made to the current Wiltshire Council-run leisure centres will be to the benefit of customers and to improve the overall experience for them.
No, your membership will automatically enable access to the centres you currently use, according to your membership type, as well as the additional leisure centres being transferred. This will be the same for both Places Leisure members and Wiltshire Council members. In addition, for those members on a Wiltshire Council Life Zone membership, or a Places Leisure Premium membership, customers will be able to access exercise classes at any facility.
