Shrewsbury Sports Village set for private management

The running of Shrewsbury Sports Village could be handed over to a private leisure provider as early as July next year under council proposals to cut costs, it was today revealed.

Shropshire Council is hoping to pass on the management of five of its leisure facilities, including the sports village, as it seeks to cut costs.

Others that will be taken over include Oswestry and Bridgnorth leisure centres, and the swimming pools in Whitchurch and Market Drayton.

However, the buildings will remain under council ownership.

The council today said the "new management arrangements could be in place as early as July 2012".

The sports village has seen visitor numbers increase by 25,000 in the last 12 months. A total of 210,000 people visited the centre during the period, making it the busiest time for the facility since it opened its doors in 2006.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for active and healthy lifestyles, said: "Shrewsbury Sports Village provides excellent services to many people and I'm really pleased that it's doing so well.

"This is largely down to the great range of activities available, and of course the dedicated staff who make it all possible.

"As well as welcoming a record number of visitors, the centre has been the driving force with a recent review of admin polices and procedures now being adopted by all council-run leisure facilities across the county."