Vale of Glamorgan leisure centres now being run in partnership by council and private company (From Penarth Times)
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Vale of Glamorgan leisure centres now being run in partnership by council and private company
8:40am Saturday 11th August 2012 in News
FUTURE: Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Leisure Cllr Gwyn John and Parkwood Leisure Ltd assistant regional director Simon Hughes celebrate the start of a new partnership arrangement for the Vale’s leisure centres.
VALE leisure centres are now being run in partnership by the council and a private company.
The partnership between Parkwood Leisure Ltd and the Vale Council, to run the facilities in Barry, Penarth, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major, officially began on August 1 - with the contract to run for a minimum of ten years.
The Vale Council still owns the buildings and facilities, but the agreement means around £3m worth of investment will be made and Parkwood Leisure have plans in place for developing the centres.
Planned improvements include refurbishing the gyms and changing facilities. Activity programmes will also be extended, with Parkwood Leisure introducing its brands such as Aquazone swimming lessons, Sway Dance classes, Camp Adventure (children’s holiday club) and Party Mania (children’s parties).
Similar partnership arrangements are in place in a number of local auhorities across the UK, and Parkwood Leisure already manages 82 leisure centres on behalf of 25 clients. They have also successfully managed Cardiff International Pool since January 2008.
Giles Rawlinson, finance director of Parkwood Leisure, said: “We are elated to have been awarded this contract by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and look forward to operating these unique and individual leisure centres on behalf of the authority.
"The partnership secures the long-term stability and future of the centres, ensuring that local provision for leisure and activity remains available for communities within the Vale.”
Cllr Gwyn John, Vale Council Cabinet Member for Leisure said: “Parkwood Leisure will work with the council to continue to build upon the excellent work already developed by the council’s own leisure service in encouraging more people to be more active more often.
"I am grateful to council officers and leisure centre staff for the enormous amount of work they have done in recent months in the lead-up to this partnership and I am also grateful to customers for their patience during this time.”
