Council's Leisure Fiasco

Wiltshire Council has offered a New Year deal to help people get fit at the Leisure Centres across the county, but the deal was only available on days when the leisure centres were mostly closed!

Jon Hubbard, Lib Dem Group Leader, said "The Council are issuing press releases, and printing expensive glossy leaflets, but they haven't even checked the basics. The cheap deal was available for only three days at the start of January, but for two of these days Wiltshire's Leisure Centres were completely closed as a result of cuts to front line services by the Conservative council!

"It's vital that we help people in Wiltshire stay fit and healthy, and that's why we proposed allowing free swimming for under-16's and pensioners in last year's budget. Unfortunately, the Conservative administration voted that proposal down, and their latest confusion with this cheap deal will only serve to make it more difficult for Wiltshire people to enjoy their local leisure centres.

"Not for the first time, the Conservative council's multi-million pound 'Communications' budget has to be called into question. Where is this money going? At Wiltshire Council, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing."

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Here's a WC press release on LCs:

Leisure centres promote healthy lifestyle

Wiltshire Council leisure centres are ready with a range of programmes to help people start the new year with a healthier lifestyle.

Gym memberships, health and fitness classes, personal programme sessions, swimming pools, badminton & squash courts, gymnastics and football training are just some of the facilities available at the centres.

Darren Spreadbury, Wiltshire Council Leisure Services Business Development Manager, (WCLSBDM) advises a number of top tips to help people make the step from sofa to gym

1. Do it with a friend. Statistics show people who exercise with a friend are more likely to continue
2. Take the plunge. Water based activities are a great way to add variety to a fitness programme and you don't need to be a good swimmer to enjoy aqua activities
3. Make the most of the free induction and training programme with membership. The dedicated fitness teams are there to support, inspire and motivate to reach your goals.
4. Pay as you go. Casual sport and leisure centre users in Wiltshire can take advantage of our 'pay-as-you-go' sessions and discounts available through the leisurecard.
5. Try something new. Try out the many different sports available from health and fitness classes, squash courts, gymnastics to football training.

Stuart Wheeler, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for leisure and sport, said:

"The new year is a great time to try one of Wiltshire's great value for money sports and leisure facilities. We strive to offer the highest quality facilities and services which compare - and even better - the private sector. The fact we have so many more people using our gyms each year proves we must be doing something right."

"I'd encourage people who live, work or visit Wiltshire to check out our easy to access leisure facilities to consider what we have on offer."

Wiltshire Council offers contract and non-contract membership for gym, swimming, fitness classes and sports courts with no joining fees.

Wiltshire residents and visitors have a wide range of facilities to choose from including: Five Rivers Leisure Centre in Salisbury with a 25 metre swimming pool, teaching pool and beach pool; Devizes Leisure Centre with 7 floodlit tennis courts and 3 floodlit artificial turf pitches and Marlborough Leisure Centre with its modern gym, sauna and steam room.

Amesbury Sports and Community Centre, Durrington Swimming and Fitness Centre, Pewsey Sports Centre, Tidworth Leisure Centre and Tisbury and District Sports Centre also offer great value facilities for regular or occasional users.

To find out more people can call into one of the centres or view the leisure map for more information.