Community hubs to make activity easier for all

Plans for 'community hubs' to help increase opportunities and places for High Peak people to take part in physical activity will form a key part of new plans for the management and operation of leisure services in the Borough.

High Peak Borough Council has announced Parkwood Leisure as its new leisure operator following a competitive tendering process.

Council Leader, Councillor Tony Ashton, said: "Being physically active plays an important role in keeping people healthy and has a positive impact on our wellbeing.

"We want to make it easier for people to enjoy sport and leisure activities and Parkwood have some great ideas, including community hubs, to increase not only where and how people can take part but also the range of activities on offer. I look forward to working in partnership with them as the plans develop."

Parkwood will also manage four of the Council's football pitches which could open up the potential of these sites to host a range of community activities.

Alex Godfrey, Regional Director at Parkwood Leisure, said: "We will deliver a quality, personalised service whilst ensuring that an active lifestyle is accessible to the local community and we'll be working with various partners to deliver many projects with the aim of getting those who are currently inactive active.

"As the new operator of Buxton's Pavilion Gardens, we're delighted to be further strengthening our relationships and developing leisure services in the High Peak."

The contract, which starts on 1 April, is for five years and will result in savings of over £280,000 a year for Council taxpayers.