Wyre Council Leisure Operating Contract

The Authority is inviting tenders from suitable partners who wish to be considered to
manage and operate the Authority’s Leisure Services.

This procurement falls under
Schedule 3 of the Public Contract Regulations - Social and Other Specific Services and
the Council is using the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation (“CPN”).
The Contract is for the operation of the Authority-owned (unless otherwise stated)
Fleetwood Leisure Centre, Garstang Leisure Centre, Garstang Swimming Pool (currently
owned by Lancashire County Council and leased by the council), Poulton Leisure Centre
and Thornton Leisure Centre. The Contract also includes provision of a Beach Patrol
Service at bathing beaches in Fleetwood and Cleveleys at weekends and school holidays
during the summer period.

The Contract is for the operation of the Authority-owned (unless otherwise stated)
Fleetwood Leisure Centre, Garstang Leisure Centre, Garstang Swimming Pool (currently
owned by Lancashire County Council and leased by the council), Poulton Leisure Centre
and Thornton Leisure Centre. A brief description of each facility is provided below:
Fleetwood Leisure Centre
Built in 1974, Fleetwood Leisure Centre is a popular facility within the local community.
Situated on the seafront in the north-eastern corner of Fleetwood, the facility offers
convenient access to the waterfront. The town centre is a c.10-minute walk away, making
it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.
The centre contains dry-side leisure facilities including a 48-station fitness gym, cycle
studio, 5-court sports hall and a café, as well as wet-side facilities including a 6-lane 25m
swimming pool, 20m x 7.5m teaching pool and an outdoor splashpad. The Authority
invested £134,000 in new health and fitness equipment in 2015, replaced the sand filters
in the same year and undertook a complete boiler replacement in 2020 costing over
£160,000.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Fleetwood Leisure Centre attracted c. 197,758 visits per
year and had a total of 1,705 annual or direct debit members. This had recovered to
166,091 visits per year and a total of 1,958 annual or direct debit members by March
2024.
The Authority successfully secured £141,212 of funding from the Government’s
Swimming Pool Support Fund in January 2024, which was allocated to Fleetwood Leisure
Centre for shower-flow restrictors and solar PV Panels at the centre.
The Authority has developed outline plans and costings for a remodelled Fleetwood
Leisure Centre and is seeking to test the business case for this investment as part of this
procurement.
Garstang Leisure Centre
Built in 1985, Garstang Leisure Centre has established itself as a valuable community
asset. The facility is located in the heart of the town centre, with Garstang library situated
opposite the site.
The centre contains indoor dry-side leisure facilities including a 17-station fitness suite, a
12m x 15m exercise studio and a 4-court sports hall. The wider site encompasses outdoor
facilities including a skate park and a half-court outdoor football pitch (not in scope of the
Contract). Fitness equipment was upgraded in 2020 costing £30,000
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Garstang Leisure Centre attracted c. 63,310 visits per
year and had a total of 499 annual or direct debit members. This has recovered to c.
46,988 visits per year and a total of 491 annual or direct debit members by March 2024.
Garstang Swimming Pool
Built in 1974 and located c. 0.5 miles from Garstang Leisure Centre, Garstang Swimming
Pool consists of a 3-lane 20m pool. The site is particularly well used by schools.
The Authority has spent c. £200,000 on improving male and female changing rooms and
the reception / foyer area layout at Garstang Swimming Pool.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Garstang Swimming Centre attracted c. 55,632 visits per
year. This had recovered to c. 42,761 visits per year by March 2024.
Poulton Leisure Centre
Also built in 1974, Poulton Leisure Centre is situated alongside golf and tennis facilities
that are operated by local clubs. The centre consists of dry-side facilities including a
43-station gym and an 8m x 15m exercise studio. The site also features wet-side facilities
including a 3-lane 20m pool and a separate spa.
In 2014, the Authority invested c. £2.5m at the site on new health and fitness equipment,
development of a purpose-built group fitness studio and the installation of a spa facility
which includes a 3m spa pool, sauna, steam room, aromatherapy room, salt room and
two monsoon showers. The spa facility has not been operational since the Covid-19
pandemic but remains in working order. Bidders should assume that the spa facility will be
operational within 6 months of the start of the Contract.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Poulton Leisure Centre attracted c. 129,749 visits per
year and had a total of 1,601 annual or direct debit members. This had recovered to
122,887 visits per year and 1,349 annual or direct debit members by March 2024.