Fees to use North Yorkshire leisure centres are set to rise as council chiefs announce a review of prices across the county.
North Yorkshire Council is looking at how much it charges for memberships, pay-as-you-go (PAYG) usage and swimming lessons at its Active North Yorkshire centres.
Council chiefs say the review will lead to a consistent pricing structure following the transfer of leisure services from the former borough and district councils.
At present, more than 70 different membership types are available at the leisure sites, while a council report says PAYG prices also vary significantly across the county.
North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for culture and leisure, Jo Ireland, said:
“Introducing a streamlined structure across all our sites is challenging across such a large and diverse area, but we aim to give all residents fairer access to leisure facilities in their area, and a greater freedom to benefit from more flexible membership options.
“There is the possibility that some customers could see their membership costs increase, particularly if their membership price has not been reviewed for several years, or they have taken advantage of previous offers.
“The pricing principles also aim to reflect the quality and range of the leisure facilities available.
“This would be offset by a fairer, more consistent, countywide service which would give more residents access to a basic package at a lower cost, with the option of upgrading to a premium package for additional benefits.”
The council said a survey of more than 4,600 customers found that the option of having flexible, non-contract memberships offering unlimited access was among the top priorities.
Fixed-term contracts would be scrapped as part of the proposed scheme, with an entry-level membership designed to mitigate the price increases.
Premium memberships offering enhanced benefits, including access to all Active North Yorkshire are planned, along with access to virtual activities, which the council says would give more choice to people living in rural parts of the county.
Eligibility for older persons’ concessions will be increased to the state to the state pension age.
A wellbeing membership to support individuals referred through specialist programmes who require tailored support could also be introduced.
Customers would have the option to access virtual activities without travelling to an Active North Yorkshire site, which would give more choice to people living in rural parts of the county.
The report notes that prices to use services in Harrogate would remain higher than elsewhere in the county “due to their current position and enhanced offer quality”.
The council recently agreed a £36m investment in four key leisure hubs as part of a new leisure investment strategy.
An additional £3m is to be invested in a phased programme to upgrade gym and fitness equipment at a further 12 leisure sites overseen by the council was also approved.
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