Over the next eight weeks, Southampton City Council will be consulting with users of St Mary’s Leisure Centre to understand the impact of a proposed end to leisure services.
Since 2010, Solent University have managed St Mary’s Leisure Centre on behalf of the council. During this time, the local community were able to access a range of indoor leisure facilities. This arrangement is due to end on 31 December 2021.
Councillor John Hannides, Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Assets, encouraged users to complete the consultation: “Due to the condition of the building, which will require significant repair, and a decrease in user numbers over recent years, we are proposing to end leisure services at St Mary’s Leisure Centre. Our aspiration is for modern, accessible leisure facilities that contribute to the improvement of health for people in Southampton.
“This consultation will allow us to fully understand the impact of our proposal on those who use the facility and I encourage everyone who visits St Mary’s Leisure Centre to complete the survey.”
Following the completion of Solent University’s new sports complex, a range of activities offered at St Mary’s Leisure Centre are now being offered at the Solent Sports Complex as part of the university’s ongoing work with the local community. This includes the ‘Health 4 Her’ women’s only weight-loss group and an exercise referral clinic for people with diabetes. Some sports clubs are also using the new academic sports facility.
Users of St Mary’s Leisure Centre will be able to access a variety of alternative indoor leisure venues in Southampton including The Quaysand Bitterne Leisure Centre. Information about where alternative venues are and what is available across the city is provided as part of the council’s consultation.
From 23 December, St Mary’s Leisure Centre will close for the Christmas and New Year period as usual and remain closed until a formal decision is made regarding the proposal to end leisure services.
Martin Nailor, Head of Solent Sport, said: “It has been my privilege to support our dedicated team of staff and students who have worked with colleagues from Southampton City Council since 2010, enabling the community to benefit from continued use of St Mary’s.
“At Solent University we will continue to play our part, harnessing and utilising our skills and knowledge and transferring these into activities and opportunities where possible, to bring benefit to both our community and in the development of our students.”
To find out more information, visit southampton.gov.uk/stmarysleisurecentre and have your say by Monday 24 January 2022.