Serco Leisure and its operating partner, More Leisure Community Trust (MLCT), have been appointed to operate five leisure facilities on behalf of Oxford City Council from 30th March 2024.
The new contract includes management of Barton Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre, the Leys Pools & Leisure Centre, Hinksey Outdoor Pool and Oxford Ice Rink. Among a range of improvements coming as part of the new contract, state of the art EGYM equipment will be installed at both Ferry Leisure Centre, and the Leys Pools & Leisure Centre. Accessible for disabled and non-disabled users, EGYN is designed to be fully personalised for users and is fully integrated with MLCT’s My MORE app. There will also be major refurbishment work across the portfolio, including a new interactive play arena for young people and families at the Leys Pools & Leisure Centre, creation of new bespoke group exercise studios at Ferry and Barton Leisure Centres, and a reopening and re-launch of the contract’s café offering. Councillor Chewe Munkonge, deputy leader and cabinet member for Leisure and Parks, said: ‘At a time when many councils up and down the country are grappling with the closure of key facilities due to budget pressures, we are proud not only to maintain but also to elevate our suite of leisure amenities for Oxford residents.’ Simon Lane, managing director for Serco Leisure, said: ‘In addition to Oxford, we have recently been appointed as the operator for a number of centres on behalf of Buckinghamshire Council. This will present opportunities for increased collaboration within the Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Buckinghamshire Integrated Care Systems.’