Bridgnorth Leisure Centre no longer part of immediate plans for new management

Bridgnorth Leisure Centre will no longer form part of Shropshire Council’s immediate plans to find a new partner to manage its principal leisure facilities, after the governors of Bridgnorth Endowed School said that they would like more time to consider their options. 

Originally the centre formed part of the council’s plans to find and work with a new partner to manage a number of the county’s leisure centres, as agreed by Cabinet earlier this year (16 March 2011). 

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:

“The public use of the leisure centre is agreed with the school, and the governors and headteacher have the ultimate say on how it is run.  We are happy for the leisure centre to be taken out of the current process, and we will continue to work closely with the school to ensure the best future for the leisure centre.” 

Phil Loveday, Headteacher of Bridgnorth Endowed School, said:

“It is important that governors think through the use of school facilities carefully so that both the school and the community are able to maximise access, and the centre remains an attractive and effective leisure services provider for the town.” 

A report outlining this change will be considered by the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 16 November 2011. 

The centres currently being advertised on the open market are Market Drayton Swimming Centre, Oswestry Leisure Centre, Shrewsbury Sports Village and Indoor Bowls Hall, Whitchurch Swimming Centre and The Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre, Shrewsbury. 

New running arrangements could be in place by as early as June 2012. 

These changes follow an objective, external review of how the council’s leisure services could be redesigned to provide better value for money and an improved experience for the local people who use them.