Watford Borough Council has agreed a new 15-year partnership with leisure operator Everyone Active to manage and help develop its sport and leisure facilities. The new contract will include the operation of the council-owned Watford Central Leisure Centre and Watford Woodside Leisure Centre and Athletics Stadium.

The service has been re-designed to help extend its reach and impact across the borough by specifying a new programme of outreach activities to help tackle inactivity in local communities.

Free swimming will be provided at Watford Central Leisure Centre between 2pm and 5pm on Sundays from June 2018. Free Gym Active sessions will be provided for 11 to 15-year-olds across a series of times and dates to promote an active lifestyle among young people in Watford.

Despite this widening of the service and required outcomes, the council has managed to secure future revenue savings over the 15-year period.

Both Watford Woodside and Watford Central Leisure Centre are recognised as Excellent by Sport England’s leading national quality scheme Quest.

The council and Everyone Active are committed to proactively addressing health inequalities in the borough with the aim of getting residents more active. The new contract is based upon a shared vision and commitment to increase participation in sport and physical activity, particularly among under-represented groups, and is supported by a partnership philosophy of collaboration between the council, Everyone Active and a range of key stakeholders.

The Sport, Leisure & Culture Consultancy (SLC) has proudly supported Watford Borough Council throughout the procurement process, led by Director, Toby Kingsbury.

Toby said of SLC’s involvement in the project, “This new partnership is a great example of how effective procurement of a mature, second-generation contract can still make significant revenue savings whilst extending the scope of services to deliver wider health and wellbeing outcomes. We are delighted with the result for Watford Borough Council and look forward to supporting them through the mobilisation period in establishing the new partnership arrangements.”

Deputy Mayor Cllr Peter Taylor, whose portfolio includes the council’s leisure partnerships, said: “We’re really pleased with this excellent deal for Watford residents.  Everyone Active is a fantastic partner, providing facilities that are as good as the private health clubs, but at an affordable price. We hope that the free swimming will encourage people in Watford to lead a more active lifestyle. This is an excellent deal for everyone who uses our leisure centres and for local council tax payers.”

 

Press / Reader enquiries to:

Toby Kingsbury

The Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy

T: 01444 459927

E: toby@slc.uk.com

W: www.slc.uk.com