Walsall leisure centres bring in £4m amid fitness boom
Leisure chiefs in Walsall have said they are on track to rake in millions of pounds as residents look to get fitter and healthier.
Councillor Garry Perry, Walsall Council’s portfolio holder for communities, leisure and culture, said membership of the town’s active living centres was increasing and on target to bring in more than £4.1 million at the end of the 2018/19 financial year.
Both Oak Park and Bloxwich Active Living Centres were opened in 2016 to replace old facilities and they are seen as crucial to the town’s leisure success.
In a report to full council, which will meet on Monday night, Councillor Perry said memberships were on the up and people were flocking to borough leisure centres.
And his report said there will be further enhancements to the service to boost user numbers and help them achieve aims of getting people healthier.
He said: “The active living centres have performed very well. Led by the new centres at Oak Park and Bloxwich, income is currently on target to exceed £4.1m in the 2018/19 financial year.
“We have also increased the number of memberships and this currently stands at 6,400.
“Prior to the development of the new centres, memberships were below 2,400. Memberships, however, only tell part of the story.
“To deliver against our philosophy to get 'more people, more active, more often' and to help improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of Walsall’s residents, it is worth noting that these memberships are in addition to our swimming lesson and pay-to-play attendances.
Crucial
“There will be more than two million visits to the four centres this year.
“We also have more than 2,500 children enrolled on the Walsall Leisure Swim Academy.
“Delivered in partnership with the Walsall-based Swimming Teachers Association, the Swim Academy delivers weekly lessons to children, providing both a crucial life skill and also encouraging a habit of regular participation.
“It proves that where the council can be bold and to commit to schemes that cut across various agendas – health, children’s, adults and regeneration – that these projects can make a genuine contribution to enriching lives.”
He added: “2019 offers further opportunity for development and the advancement of services to Walsall residents.
“The active living centres’ on-line booking and joining systems will make services easier for residents to access.
“New water-play features at Bloxwich Active Living Centre will enhance the family swim experience and the Oak Park car park extension is now underway, resolving the long-standing parking problems that were an unfortunate by-product of the success of the service.”
By Gurdip Thandi, Local Democracy Reporter
