Trust may take over leisure centres

LEISURE centres could be transferred from direct council control to a trust which runs other sporting venues in a bid to save £150,000 a year.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th May 2011, 07:00 BST

Sheffield Council’s newly elected Labour cabinet will discuss a scheme to place the city’s Graves tennis and leisure centre, Heeley pool, Stocksbridge leisure centre and Springs leisure centre into the hands of Sheffield International Venues (SIV) at its first meeting next Wednesday.

SIV, which is part of the Sheffield City Trust, an independent firm owned by Sheffield Council, already runs Ponds Forge international sports centre, Ice Sheffield, the Hillsborough and Concord leisure centres and several other venues in the city.

Coun Helen Mirfin-Boukouris, Sheffield Council’s newly-appointed cabinet member for business, jobs and growth said: “This would be a win-win situation for the council and local people would benefit from SIV’s experience and excellent track record in taking forward the sports facilities.