Price cuts planned for Walsall leisure centres
Charges at leisure centres in Walsall could be reduced as part of multi-million pound plans to create new venues and boost users, it has emerged.
Council chiefs are looking to increase the number of visitors and have developed £14 million plans for more modern centres at Walsall Wood and Bloxwich.
They say some prices could be dropped to encourage more participation and tackle the levels of inactivity around the borough.
The new centres at Oak Park, Walsall Wood, and Bloxwich have been backed by the council who have put forward a bid for funding.
It comes as a review of leisure facilities was started by the authority, which has seen the future of the town centre Gala Baths thrown into doubt. The authority has insisted there has been no decision at the moment.
It is anticipated the establishment of new modern centres will see the numbers of users rise. This is based on the impact in other areas where better facilities have been created.
A report to the council said it is expected income from the likes of swimming will rise by 50 per cent and outdoor sport by 75 per cent once the new buildings are opened. But bosses insist this is not due to increased prices and some are more likely to be reduced.
Leisure chief councillor Anthony Harris said: "Providing new, well designed and attractive leisure centres has been proven to attract many more users of all ages. Where other local authorities have replaced old leisure centres with brand new state-of-the-art facilities usage has on average risen by more than 100 per cent.
"We are working hard to encourage more people to be more active more often and this model will help us achieve our goals.
"It is not anticipated that prices will rise. They could, in certain cases, even be reduced to encourage greater participation."
The council is now launching a procurement process to seek contractors to undertake construction works for the building of the two new leisure centres at Oak Park and Bloxwich.
Plans for the new Oak Park Leisure Centre include an eight-lane swimming pool, a teaching pool with moving floor, a fitness suite, health studio and catering facilities. Bloxwich will get a six-lane 25-metre pool.
It emerged last week women are smuggling in petition forms in their swimming costumes after being banned from openly opposing any closure of Walsall Gala Baths at the premises.
