COUNCIL gyms across Taunton Deane will be temporarily closed while a new provider takes over.

Sports and Leisure Management Ltd will be taking over the operation of Somerset West and Taunton Council's sports and leisure facilities under the trading name 'Everyone Active'.

Currently, the facilities are run by company Better, but the new provider will take over from August 1 following an extensive procurement process from the former Taunton Deane Borough Council.

Under the new contract the operator will pay SWT a management fee to operate the facilities and will also take on additional repair and maintenance obligations.


READ MORE: Leisure firm awarded contract to operate Taunton Deane Borough Council's sports and leisure facilities


In preparation for the take-over, some of the facilities will be closed.

In an email sent out to members, a Better spokesman explained the closures.

He said: "Better leisure centres are now preparing to transfer the operation of its facilities to 'Everyone Active' therefore we would like to bring to your attention some temporary disruptions.

"At Blackbrook Leisure Centre and Spa there will be a partial closure of the gym as we extract some of the equipment from the gym on Wednesday, July 31.

"The toning suite will be closed from 11am on Monday July 29 until further notice from 'Everyone Active'.

"The Wellsprings Leisure Centre gym will be temporarily closed from Tuesday July 30 until further notice from 'Everyone Active'.

"The Wellington Sports Centre gym will be temporary closed on Monday July 29 and Tuesday July 30, re-opening on Wednesday July 31."

New provider Everyone Active will be investing £1.2million across the five leisure sites. 

Wellsprings Leisure Centre will be getting a £387,000 upgrade during a 12-day closure from August 1. 

Blackbrook Leisure Centre and Spa will be getting a £400,000 upgrade. 

To allow for these works to take place the gym will closed for 10 days from August 19.

Wellington Sports Centre will see a £353,000 upgrade, so will be closed for 10 days from September 16. 

Taunton Pool will also see some investment, with £65,000 going into improvements, as well as £20,000 being spent at Vivary Golf and Adventure Centre. 

David Greenwood, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “We are excited to officially begin our partnership with SWT on August 1 2019, which is kicking off with some great improvements for our customers.

“All three gym facilities will benefit from new, state-of-the art Technogym equipment, refurbished fitness studios and more to improve the area’s leisure facilities.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the local community to Everyone Active and helping them to improve their health and wellbeing.”

For more information on the changes visit everyoneactive.com/tauntondevelopments/.