Swindon's six leisure centres secured for 15 years

Swindon Borough Council will continue its partnership with leisure provider GLL

The future of six Swindon leisure centres has been secured for the next 15 years after the council strengthened its partnership with a leisure provider.

Swindon Borough Council has removed mutual break clauses with provider GLL, allowing leases to run until 31 October 2039, instead of ending in 2028.

GLL, operating under the Better brand, will continue managing several sites for a number of years.

These include the Link Centre, Croft Leisure Centre, Delta Tennis Centre, Dorcan Recreation Centre, Haydon Wick Leisure Centre and the Health Hydro.

GLL funded the replacement of the Link Centre's ice rink

Councillors have also approved the allocation of additional funding to invest in two of the borough's major leisure facilities.

A sum of £115,000 will be spent on the ongoing refurbishment of the Health Hydro, while an extra £1.3m will go towards a larger package of improvements being made by GLL at the Link Centre.

Working with GLL, the council has already funded the replacement of the Link Centre's ice rink, which was damaged by flooding last September at a cost of £375,000.

Resident initiatives

In an effort to benefit local residents, GLL has launched a range of initiatives, such as a free Residents' Card, which provides a membership with 10% off activities and a Pay as you Go concessionary membership card.

GLL has also introduced a Kids in Care membership which provides children in care with a free membership, while young adults aged up to 25 who have been in care can also access a special membership of their own.

In addition, GLL will provide a subsidised membership for children at risk of substance misuse and offending.

Barnaby Rich said the partnership demonstrated a "commitment" to the town

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for placemaking and planning, said the council was "keen to solidify the partnership" with GLL.

"GLL has really stepped up to support some of our most vulnerable residents at a time when people are finding it tough with the cost of living crisis," she said.

Speaking about the partnership, Barnaby Rich, GLL partnership manager for Swindon, said: “Not only does this give us the certainty that will enable us to plan for and invest in the long-term future of Swindon’s leisure centres, it also demonstrates our commitment to the town, its leisure facilities and the local community.”