GLL To Operate Swindon Leisure Centres

GLL, the leading not-for-profit leisure provider, has been awarded long-term leases for six leisure facilities in Swindon – the charitable social enterprise currently manages the Oasis Leisure Centre within Swindon.

The 1st of November 2014 will see GLL, which operates under their ‘Better’ brand, run the Croft Sports Centre, Delta Tennis Centre, Dorcan Recreation Complex, Haydon Centre, Health Hydro and the Link Centre. The long-term leases with Swindon Borough Council will see GLL make an initial £3 million investment of their own funds to enhance facilities and services across the borough which will be in additon to the Council providing a sum of up to £2million for investment as well.

The new arrangements will have a strong focus on increasing sports and leisure participation, reducing health inequalities and improving social inclusion. GLL has also committed to offering a borough-wide leisure card scheme similar to that previously made available by the Council, and a concessionary pricing structure including discounts for students and disabled users. Talented athletes all over Swindon shall be able to access funding from the GLL Sport Foundation, who aim to support and develop young sportsmen and women in order to help them achieve their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

GLL's appointment was prompted by Swindon Borough Council’s need to make significant savings over the next three years and will result in a saving of approximately £1.4 million in annual subsidies. GLL is the largest leisure charitable social enterprise in the UK and a not-for-profit entity, so a financial surplus that may be made by GLL is reinvested back into their operated facilities. Additionally, both Swindon Council and GLL shared the same objectives to provide affordable access to all and increase sports participation across the borough.

Councillor Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Leisure, said, “This process has always been about ensuring our fantastic leisure offer is sustainable and GLL is the ideal partner to help us achieve that objective.

“I am delighted GLL were chosen to run our facilities as they have an excellent track record, performed very well in our evaluation process and will be investing in the facilities in the years to come.”

Mark Sesnan, Managing Director of GLL, said, “We are delighted to have been invited to operate Swindon’s leisure facilities under leases from the Council. We have successfully been running the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon since January 2013, so have a good knowledge and understanding of the area, and are proud to be furthering our commitment to local residents, providing first class, affordable leisure and sporting facilities under our growing Better brand.”