People from Kings Langley who use Dacorum Sports Centre in Hemel Hempstead should see some changes from next month.
That’s because Dacorum Borough Council has awarded a 10-year contract to Sports and Leisure Management Ltd for the delivery of leisure services.
The contract covers, amongst other things, Hemel Hempstead Sports Centre, Hemel Hempstead School Courts, Jarman Park Athletics track and Longdean Sports Centre. The future of the classes and courses featured in last month’s KingsNews is still unclear.
As part of this contract, SLM will be investing over £2.3million into the Council’s flagship leisure facilities at Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted.
The leisure centres will remain in Council ownership, and , as part of the new agreement, Everyone Active will be paying the council in excess of £6million over the next ten years to manage the leisure facilities.
The move had caused some concern among members of the public with thousands joining a Facebook group called Leisure Facilities are not for profit and even more people signing a petition.
Councillor Andrew Williams, Leader of the Council said, moved to reassure members of the public and those who currently work at the centres.
He said: “There has been great public interest surrounding this contract and we know that users and staff at Sportspace have been worried. But I want to reassure them that Sportspace staff will be protected and transferred over to the new contract provider and that SLM is committed to working with clubs to help them increase membership and to get the most out of the facilities.
“SLM will also be delivering a wide range of community outreach programmes to ensure everyone is given the opportunity to get active”.
Duncan Jefford, Everyone Active’s regional director, said he can’t wait to start working in the area.
He commented: “Improving the health and wellbeing of local communities sits at the heart of everything we do. I am delighted that our extensive experience in the sports and leisure industry will now be used to benefit people in Dacorum and encourage them to become more active, as it has already done for so many people in neighbouring boroughs.”
Very disappointed that you can’t go for a meal and go to the cinema and drink after, as the car park does not allow enough time to do this, spoilt our evening out by receiving a parking fine. Will now only go to the cinema then leave. I though you wanted to encourage people to Jarman Park, instead your driving them away.