Huge losses forecast on York’s leisure facilities?

The recent media focus in York about the new Community Stadium has tended to draw attention away from the City’s leisure centres. The future needs to be clarified as the pandemic seems likely to prevent their early reopening.

The centres have been managed by GLL “Better Leisure “ since 2017.

They took over the “Energise” facility on Cornlands Road, the Yearsley swimming pool and – more recently – the new Burnholme and Monks Cross centres. For a short time they had managed the  “Waterworld” facility at Monks Cross but it had closed against a background of declining attendances.

The decision to outsource the Council owned facilities was a controversial one. Essentially what had been a Labour controlled Council wanted to minimise the financial risk for taxpayers.  The deal that was set up gave the social enterprise provider ample scope to make profits from its new estate.

There have been continuing grumbles about the Energise/Better site with many feeling that charges are too high to be attractive in one of the less well off parts of the City.

In common with similar facilities elsewhere, GLL have been forced to close due to the lockdown (s).

This has presented them with the problem of ongoing expense but no customers. Most of their staff have been “furloughed” and buildings mothballed.  The much-delayed opening of the Monks Cross Community Stadium site has added to their woes.

It remains to be seen whether compensation could be payable – and to whom – for the delayed building works.

The Council pays GLL a management fee. Sources within the Council have said that GLL are now seeking compensation for their ongoing losses.  

Apparently, the Council have submitted a claim for £399,000 to Sport England who had offered to support leisure operators. This may not be enough to cover the deficit. The Council and GLL are currently undertaking an “open book” review.

Any decision to provide additional financial support from the Council would require a decision from Councillors. Several Councillors – as users of the  leisure facilities – would be debarred from voting on any such decision.

There is another body of opinion which thinks that the local authority should bring the facilities back under its direct control.

It seems that the Community Stadium saga has allot further to run.

More on financial threat to Energise and other GLL leisure facilities in York

In May, a media report confirmed that the GLL group – who manage several leisure facilities in York including Energise on Cornlands Road and the Yearsley swimming pool – were in financial difficulty.

Energise on Cornlands Road

They asked the York Council for support.

The move may partly explain why more progress has not been made in bringing new facilities at the York Community stadium site into use.

The York City Council said it “will continue to work closely with GLL.” 

At the time, Ian Floyd, the council’s interim head of paid services, said: “Throughout the city’s response to coronavirus we understand that the businesses we work with have had to adapt due to temporary closures, working differently and dealing with the financial demands this places on them.

“We are working with our partners across the city to ensure we support them to work safely, and we continue to follow government guidance regarding our ongoing service contracts.

“City of York Council supports GLL through our leisure services contract via monthly payments. This is usually paid in arrears. Following government guidance, the council have paid three months of the contract fee upfront, covering April to June 2020.

“We understand that GLL have furloughed the majority of staff at these venues and have confirmed they are continuing to pay 100% of their salaries until May. City of York Council will continue to work closely with GLL, to work through the contract implications of the Coronavirus response which closed all public leisure facilities in March.”

There has been no recent update from the Council although some facilities did subsequently reopen on a limited basis.

What & when at Monks Cross?

It isn’t just the Community Stadium (see story below) that is lying unused at Monks Cross.

The £12 million gym, swimming pool and outdoor all-weather sports pitches are also still under wraps.

Coming to Monks Cross – but when?

Around £14 million of taxpayers money has been used to subsidise the complex on top of which were “developer” contributions of over £15 million  (click).

The expectation was that the site would provide several hundred additional jobs for York – opportunities which look to be even more important as the post COVID-19 recession hits employment levels in the City.

Other sports and swimming facilities in the City reopened on 10th August (click).

IMAX cinema has reopended

The IMAX cinema recently reopened and two adjacent units have been taken up by a bowling alley/café (Hollywood Bowl) and an indoor putting green (Putstars). Opening dates haven’t been confirmed.

Both had been scheduled to open in April. Together they will create about 60 jobs.

Bowling alley and indoor putting ready to open?

Elsewhere the Council hasn’t issued any update on the progress made in letting the floor-space in the building that they have underwritten.

Frankie and Benny’s closed

Three of the 4 nearby café units are now vacant following the demise of Frankie and Benny’s.  

Costa Coffee remains open.

Costa Coffee is popular

The has similarly been no word on the plans for a library and the NHS outpatient unit.

Cycle racks at the Park and Ride site are not overused

Community Hub Success

Appeal for more volunteer helpers

Energise climbing wall at Foxwood Hub

Yesterdays expanded “Community Hub” has been hailed a success by those who attended. The extra events, which included a climbing wall (above), Knights Rugby and Police property marking, ensured that there was a steady stream of visitors.

The idea for the expansion of activities was prompted by the JRHT who used the event to assess community needs in their Woodlands estate

The Hub’s decision to hand out free lunch-bags to children has been widely praised. The bags are a substitute for the free school meals which are available during term time.

Now the Hub is seeking more volunteers to help with future events. The Hub will continue to open on each Friday during the summer.

There will also be activities at the community centre (Bellhouse Way) on 13th, 22nd and 29th August when the Knights Rugby Foundation will be present.

NB. There will be a Bingo session at the Community Centre later today (Saturday). Doors open 6:45pm. “Eyes down” 7:30pm. Entrance £2 (includes tea/coffee & biscuits)