By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Southampton City Council has given itself more time to decide the future of two leisure facilities, including Woodmill Activities Centre.
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Finding an alternative provider to operate Woodmill Activities Centre in Swaythling and Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC) was the preference for Southampton City Council leaders.
The local authority’s transformation programme plans outlined that if an alternative provider could not be found by this month, other disposal options may be explored.
However, announcements had been made on the progress of any proposals.
In response to questions from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a council spokesperson said: “With Woodmill and SWAC, the initial expectation for a decision by September 2024 has now been extended, allowing more time to explore potential options for both sites.
“As part of the leisure transformation programme, Southampton City Council’s preference is to find a provider who can continue to operate both SWAC and Woodmill with a leisure offering.
“If no suitable provider is identified, other disposal options will be considered. We encourage any interested parties who would like to operate the centres to get in touch.”
A detailed report published as part of the transformation programme said subject to consultation, the council would cease to provide leisure services at SWAC, which sits on the waterfront near the mouth of the River Itchen, and Woodmill.
Data showed the majority of users at the two sites were not Southampton residents and they were both heavily subsidised by the local authority.
The transformation programme report said: “They are the two centres with the lowest visitor numbers, Woodmill 24,119 (46 per cent Southampton residents) SWAC 6,514 (32 per cent Southampton residents), and the council currently subsidise each Woodmill visit by £6.79, and each SWAC visit by £29.45.”
Meanwhile, council leaders have signed off on extending the agreement with Places for People Leisure Management Ltd to provide leisure services at sites across the city until August 31, 2028.
A previously confidential report released after the decision was made at a cabinet meeting on September 17 said: “By approving the recommendations of this report, cabinet would ensure that the council is provided with sufficient time to form and implement the associated adapt | grow | thrive leisure strategy transformation project whilst providing leisure service continuity during this period.”
This decision related to the facilities managed by Active Nation, excluding SWAC and Woodmill.
A council spokesperson said: “Once agreed, our leisure contract with Places Leisure will continue during this extension period.
“When the contract was agreed in 2010, Places Leisure made the decision to sub-contract the day-to-day management of our sports centres to Active Nation. Active Nation have operated the sites for the agreed contract period and will continue to do so during the extension period.”
Previously
Woodmill Outdoor Activities Centre could be sold off or closed
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