Blackbird Leys leisure centre to receive £1.3m

The Leys Pool and Leisure Centre in Blackbird Leys is set to receive £1.3m funding

An underused leisure centre is set to receive £1.3m of funding that will encompass provision of a new youth hub.

Plans for Leys Pool and Leisure Centre in Blackbird Leys also include a new cafe, climbing wall and a social area.

Oxford City Council has secured the funding in a partnership bid with Oxfordshire County Council.

Councillors approved plans for the youth hub during a cabinet meeting in September 2023.

Dave Morrell, Oxford City Council leisure manager, said: "We can be happy about keeping all our centres open in Oxford.

"We want to try to reduce barriers for people taking part in leisure activities."

The Blackbird Leys Pools and Leisure centre contains a "moveable pool", studio space and gym area

The city council controversially approved recommendations last month to transfer operation of the city's leisure services from Fusion Lifestyle to Serco Leisure.

This was despite some resistance from locals who expressed their concern in council meetings at the new multinational company becoming the custodian of Oxford's pools and ice rink.

Leys Pools and Leisure Centre contains a "pool with a moveable floor", studio space and gym area as part of its facilities.

The youth hub, which the city council's cabinet approved in September, will aim to "drive positive outcomes for young people", including "improved mental and physical wellbeing" and skills for life and work.