Better sports facilities at good value prices is the long-term vision for the council’s leisure centres after the authority agreed a 15-year deal with its provider.

Brio Leisure, a community interest company wholly owned by the council, has operated the borough’s 17 leisure and recreation facilities since May 2011.

It is hoped the new lengthy contract, unanimously agreed by Cheshire West and Chester Council executive, will help Brio secure the millions of pounds worth of investment needed to bring the area’s dilapidated sports centres up to standard.

But there are questions over whether poorer members of the community will be able to afford its prices despite a commitment to improve outcomes for targeted groups.

Cllr Louise Gittins, shadow executive member for health and wellbeing, told The Chronicle: “Encouraging people to take part in activity is not about putting prices up. Brio is moving into a new era so I don’t know if this is something they are going to be looking at.”

Cheshire West and Chester Labour Cllr Louise Gittins
Cheshire West and Chester Labour Cllr Louise Gittins

A comparison with Liverpool Lifestyle centres shows the cost of swimming is cheaper over the water at £3.60 per adult, £2.10 for juniors, under 8s go free while a family ticket is £7. At Northgate Arena, adults pay £1 per more per visit, children pay 70p more, only under threes go free and a family ticket is £5 more expensive at £12.

At £32 per month, membership of the recently revamped Northgate Arena, allowing use of gym and swimming, is much better value than most private sector providers locally, although the Crowne Plaza facilities are cheaper at £30.95.

Monthly membership of The Crowne Plaza hotel in Chester is cheaper than the Northgate Arena
Monthly membership of The Crowne Plaza hotel in Chester is cheaper than the Northgate Arena

Cllr Gittins expressed concern at the executive that some of the key performance indicators were ‘not rigorous enough’ in terms of improving health outcomes. And she failed to understand why there was not a council member on Brio’s board.

“It might also be appropriate for a public health expert to sit on the board,” she added.

Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for culture and economy, said Brio had established itself as a competent organisation with a track record of delivery against the council’s key objectives.

He said: “We have undertaken extensive consultation regarding Brio’s existing performance and two thirds of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the activities on offer. Brio will be subject to a performance management framework under the new contract and they must provide services to improve outcomes for targeted communities.”

Cllr Parker told the meeting the new contract would enable Brio to secure investment in the borough’s leisure centres. Chester’s Northgate Arena and Frodsham and Neston leisure centres were among those likely to benefit from refurbishment, he said, complementing the multi-million pound investment currently under way in new leisure centres in Ellesmere Port and Northwich.

He added: “Granting this 15-year contract will enable Brio to go out to the market place and bring forward a major refurbishment to enhance the facilities.”

Cllr Parker also pledged that the future of Northwich’s Moss Farm ‘is definitely assured’ with ‘significant plans and opportunities’ for the building set to be unveiled shortly.