New leisure trust to run borough leisure centres

Leisure Focus has been created to run the borough’s leisure centres with the new charitable trust taking control of the borough’s sites from 1st August 2020.

The decision to create the trust has been made in partnership with Legacy Leisure, the current operator of the council’s leisure facilities.

Due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, both parties have agreed it was in the best interests of customers, staff and the wider community to transfer the operation, which will move across to Leisure Focus from 1 August 2020.

Russell O’Keefe, executive director, place, at the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and trustee of Leisure Focus, says: “I am delighted that we have been able to set up a new leisure charitable trust, to continue the delivery of leisure services at our sites here in the Royal Borough.

 “They provide such an integral service for the health and wellbeing of residents. The trust is run by local people who are passionate about the local leisure facilities.

“We hope that we will be able to open very soon. Work is ongoing behind the scenes to ensure all measures are in place to protect staff and customers throughout their visits. We cannot wait to re-open and encourage everyone to visit the sites and support your local centres.

“This is a challenging time for the leisure industry but we are committed to ensuring we do all we can to look after our members and make our venues safe for them when we can re-open.

“Our leisure centres are at the heart of the community and we want to continue that ethos with our local centres run by people who live in the community.”

 Councillor Samantha Rayner, Cabinet member for leisure, says: “Our priority as a council is to maintain the provision of leisure facilities in the area, especially at a time when health and wellness has never been more important.

“The COVID-19 global pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges for us all and we’re sad to be bringing our partnership with Legacy to an end. We’d like to thank them for their efforts over the last five years in helping us motivate our community to become happier and healthier and look forward to this new era under Leisure Focus.”

All members who are currently with Legacy Leisure will transfer to the new charitable trust and memberships will continue with no change to current terms and conditions.

Leisure Focus will begin on Saturday 1 August and all leisure centres in the borough will move over to the new trust. They are Windsor Leisure Centre, Magnet Leisure Centre, Cox Green Leisure Centre, Furze Platt Leisure Centre, Charters Leisure Centre and Braywick.

Employees of Legacy Leisure will also transfer under TUPE arrangements to Leisure Focus.

More information on the trust will be available soon at: www.leisurefocus.org.uk