'Immediate action required' - Merseyside leisure centres set for major investment to upgrade gyms
Four Merseyside gyms are set to see a major investment to upgrade several leisure centres over the next three years.
Wirral Council said the current equipment at one site was “creating a significant health and safety risk.” Top officers at the local authority have approved the replacement of existing gym equipment at four leisure centres over the next three years at a total cost of just under £300,000 a year. Priority is going to be given to leisure centres at Guinea Gap and West Kirby.
Wirral Council said this was due to “health and safety concerns and high user demand respectively,” adding: “The age and condition of the equipment being well beyond its economic life is creating a significant health and safety risk, against which, the council may not be able to provide a robust defence in the event of user injury.”
The local authority said the move is expected to increase income by around £320,000 a year helping to cover the cost of the lease. Maintenance costs are expected to reduce by £80,000. There are currently around 12,800 people with council sports subscriptions and around 70% of these regularly use the gym as part of this.
Subscriptions bring in around £4m of income to the council.
At Guinea Gap, the equipment is old with multiple concerns reported. An officer decision notice said there was urgent need for replacement, adding: “Continuing to operate with this outdated equipment poses significant risks to both users and staff, potentially leading to injury or service disruption.
“Immediate action is required to replace the critical equipment to ensure compliance with health and safety standards and to maintain public confidence in the facility.”
At West Kirby, equipment is also ageing and there are significant maintenance costs to keep everything running. The concourse leisure centre is the council’s most used with 2,409 active gym members.
The council said: “It is essential to maintain high-quality, reliable equipment to meet user expectations and continue strategic outcomes aligned to the council plan. Renewal of the existing equipment and the additional space generated from the pending creche closure will not only ensure continuity of service but also enhance user satisfaction and retention.”
The Oval Leisure Centre in Bebington as well as Leasowe Leisure Centre will also see upgrades as their equipment which is now past warranty.
Wirral Council has also made the decision to outsource the Wirral Watersports Centre based at the West Kirby marine lake following public feedback which showed nearly 60% supported the idea. This is to help deliver £1m of savings in leisure services.
The council said market testing carried out earlier this year showed “significant interest from local, regional and national organisations” which “led to the formation of a project team to develop the proposal to outsource the entire operation”.