Leisure centres transfer to Community Trust

Archived press release

Date Published: 18/06/09

A new era in the management of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s leisure facilities has begun.

The Aylesbury Vale Community Trust, an independent not-for-profit organisation, has taken on the management of the council’s two leisure centres – Aqua Vale in Aylesbury and Swan Pool in Buckingham.

The establishment of the new Trust will allow the centres to be managed in a more flexible and competitive way and will provide opportunities to re-invest surpluses back into improving the leisure facilities.

The Trust is run by a board of trustees which includes three district councillors and six independent representatives of the local community. The trustees will manage the development of the centres and influence service improvements to meet customer expectations.

To celebrate the official launch of the new Trust, an open day was held at Aqua Vale on 13 June to give people of all ages the chance to meet the new trustees and try out some of the many activities the centre has to offer.

The winner of a competition to design a logo for the Trust was also announced at the event. A logo designed by Sophia Cliffe, 12, from Aylesbury, was chosen as the winning entry.

Another free open day is at the Swan Pool on 20 June between 9.30am and 4.30pm. There’ll be body balance and body pump fitness classes in the morning, followed by diving, squash, racketball and swimming taster sessions in the afternoon.

Miles Buckinghamshire, Chairman of the Aylesbury Vale Community Trust, is delighted that the transfer has now gone ahead. “We have two superb facilities and this move will help ensure that service and development at both will in the future be excellent,” he said.

“Residents and users will have a direct influence in the operation of the centres with faster decision making. The change in status also means that there are other funding and business opportunities that open themselves up – so all in all this is a good move all round both for residents and users of these centres.”

AVDC will remain as owners of the two leisure centres but will lease them to the Trust, and the Trust will be run completely independently of the council.

For further information on AVDC’s leisure centres, please visit the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/leisure-culture or call 01296 585210.