Leisure hand-over could boost pool hopes

6:04pm Thursday 13th March 2008

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Hopes of a new multi-million-pound ice rink and swimming pool in Oxford could be boosted by proposals to hand over council-owned leisure facilities to a charitable trust.

The city council's executive board will move forward with plans to hand over the running of swimming pools and leisure centres at a meeting on Monday.

Facilities which could be transferred include Ferry Sports Centre, Barton and Temple Cowley Pools and the Ice Rink in Oxpens.

The ruling Lib Dem group believes a radical shake up in the management of leisure facilities will boost investment in Oxford's shabby leisure centres and provide a combined ice rink and swimming pool facility, possibly in Temple Cowley.

The executive board is expected to allocate £75,000 for a market testing exercise to examine the implications of handing over leisure attractions to a Leisure Charitable Trust.

The council believes the move could make savings of £30,000 in 2008-9, rising to £700,000 in 2009-10.

The market research will also look at the possibility of leisure facilities continuing to remain "in house".

David Rundle, deputy leader of the city council, said: "Before we make any significant move, we have to go through this process. There are a whole range of ways of working with charitable trusts.

"We have known for a long time that there is a need to improve the quality of services for users and other groups. Obviously there is a long history of problems in managing leisure in the city."