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Low prices key to survival of Wolverhampton's leisure centres, say chiefs

Keeping prices low is the key to the survival of leisure centres in Wolverhampton, council chiefs have said as their vision for the future was revealed.

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When the city's Central Baths were saved earlier this year following a campaign backed by more than 6,000 people, Wolverhampton City Council, under pressure to make savings of £123 million over the next five years, pledged to deliver a realistic plan to make its three centres sustainable.

The outcome will see leisure facilities re-branded as WV Active, with council bosses hopeful competitively priced membership packages and improved fitness classes will encourage more people to sign up. Youngsters will also be targeted as part of a plan to improve connections with schools.

The authority stressed the three centres - Central Baths, Aldersley Leisure Village and the Bert Williams Leisure Centre, in Bilston - would each retain their separate identities while sharing the new WV Active brand.

Rescue – Central Baths was saved earlier this year

Councillor Elias Mattu, the city's leisure chief, said: "When the Central Baths issue came up, it was obviously a huge shock for some people in the community - it had been a popular facility for so many years. We always say the closure of any service should be the last option. We were determined to save and protect the service and wanted to come up with ideas to sustain it."

Councillor Mattu insisted that did not mean increasing prices, but instead investigating other areas where money could be made. The strategy will see fitness classes overhauled and swimming lessons expanded.

He said: "We've ended up making a better facility at Central Baths. It's about giving the public a better offer and what we have got is probably the best in the West Midlands.We have had to rearrange swimming lessons - we had 1,000 people on the waiting list, which is huge. We wanted to be able to fulfil that."

Councillor Elias Mattu

Councillor Mattu admitted the council's plan for the future was a simple one - keep prices low in the hope more people will come through the door. WV Active membership, which begins at £10 per month, will allow people to use all three centres. He insisted the campaign to save Central Baths demonstrated demand for the city's facilities was there and said he was confident all three leisure centres have a bright future.

He said: "It's open to all ages; young, middle-aged and elderly people. We want to make it affordable for everybody. People are complimenting the facilities we have got here and the catchment area is wide.

"I think the branding will succeed, I am very, very optimistic. I'm very excited about the offers we are making to the public and I am convinced they are going to love this."

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