A new sport and active wellbeing service has been launched today as the Selby and Tadcaster leisure centres open under the newly-formed Active North Yorkshire.
New livery was unveiled at the two centres in the first stage of North Yorkshire Council’s plan to bring all its leisure services in-house.
The new leisure service will be focussed on supporting everyone in the community to be active, with an increased emphasis placed on improving the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the county’s communities.
The changes have been welcomed by sports organisations and the leisure teams seeing one service as a massive step forward for provision in the county.
North Yorkshire Sport’s chief executive, David Watson, said: “Bringing all the leisure facilities into one body can only be a good thing for the county, with the ability to target specific groups and provide more localised activities across the county.”
Currently the leisure centres are managed by five different operators in the former district council areas. They will move to be part of Active North Yorkshire in phases, operated by North Yorkshire Council as active wellbeing hubs.
Customers will still be able access the facilities and classes as usual, but there will be additional targeted and locally-based activities and services as well as increased support for community-based sport.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for leisure, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “Today is an important point in our leisure journey as two of our centres re-open as Active North Yorkshire hubs. It is a very exciting time for leisure services in the county. We want to ensure leisure is accessible for everyone as we work to improve the health and wellbeing of our county.”
Selby and Tadcaster leisure centres are the first to become part of Active North Yorkshire, with customers seeing changes such as the new name on signs and staff uniforms, and a new customer app and web page. However, they will still be able to access their local centre, be greeted by the same team and enjoy their favourite classes and activities.
Selby lifeguard, 22-year-old Joe Linford, said it was an exciting time to be working at the centre. “These changes bring with them lots of positives for both the staff and our customers. We will be part of the wider North Yorkshire family which I hope will give me opportunities to progress in my career as well as generate better provision of classes for our users.”
His colleague, 25-year-old lifeguard and swim teacher, Tony Addey, added: “This can only be better for our customers. The changes are massive but everyone is very excited by them and sees working for Active North Yorkshire as a huge opportunity.”
The facilities in the former Hambleton and Craven council areas will adopt the new Active North Yorkshire identity this autumn. Services currently provided by Brimhams Active in the Harrogate area and Richmondshire Leisure Trust will move to Active North Yorkshire by spring 2025.
The last phase will see the transfer of facilities and services currently provided by Everyone Active in the former Ryedale and Scarborough council areas in 2027.