Inverclyde: Highest charges for access to leisure facilities

The government agency Sport Scotland compared the cost of using sports facilities across 32 local authority areas in the period from April 2023 to March 2024.

Despite having one of the highest levels of deprivation in Scotland, Inverclyde also charged some of the biggest fees for popular activities such as fitness classes, swimming, badminton, football and table tennis.

The facilities are owned by the local council but managed on a day to day basis by arms length body Inverclyde Leisure who also set the prices.

According to the Sport Scotland report one of the most expensive activities in Inverclyde last year was swimming.

(Image: Pixabay)

Adults were charged £7.00 for an hours session more than £2 above the national average of £5.12 with only Highland Council more expensive at £7.50.

Neighbouring Glasgow charged £4 for a swim with West Dunbartonshire £3.60 and East Ayrshire £3.30.

Local MSP Stuart McMillan of the SNP said he was concerned people may be missing out on vital sporting activities because of cost.

Mr McMillan added: "We know that getting active is important for our physical and mental wellbeing, so these figures are disappointing as they do indicate that cost will be a barrier to people’s access to local leisure facilities.

“I’ll continue to have regular dialogue with Inverclyde Leisure and where there are opportunities to reduce the costs to customers, I’ll encourage them to pursue these."

According to the 52 page Sport Scotland report indoor five a side pitches were £60 for an hour's hire compared to a Scottish average of £47.65, with only Aberdeen and Edinburgh charging more.

(Image: George Munro) Meanwhile the £34 fee for juveniles was almost £6 more than the national average of £28.27.

Things were just as steep for badminton enthusiasts with a one hour court hire for adults £14.30 compared to a Scottish average of £11.80.

The cost of an hours table tennis hire was also £14.30 compared to a Scottish average of £8.87 with only two councils East Lothian and Stirling dearer.

Fees for juveniles were £7.60 compared to a Scottish average of £5.76.

Inverclyde also charged £7.90 for fitness classes with only Edinburgh and Stirling dearer.

The fee was also above the national average of £6.47.

While a monthly direct debit charge to use the council's gym, swim sauna, health and fitness amenities was £38, with only Edinburgh, Fife, Midlothian and West Lothian out of 25 councils surveyed charging more.

Last month a Telegraph investigation revealed a growing number of local amateur football clubs unable to afford the charges for 11-a-side 3G plastic pitches.

Most clubs need to hire the more expensive synthetic parks rather than the cheaper grass versions to ensure games go ahead in bad weather.

Alex More, who managed Greenock Mount Kirk FC, was forced to fold the club last October with the cost of pitch hire playing a major part in that decision.

He said there was a danger of football now becoming an elite sport and children from low income families and possible future stars being priced out the game.

(Image: Fånga Studio, Unsplash) The Sport Scotland report found an hours plastic pitch hire for adults was the eighth highest in Scotland at £83.00, above the national average of £73.02.

While the charge to juveniles was £51.50 compared to an average of £43.34.

Since the reports publication the price of an adult park in Inverclyde has shot up to £87.50 per hour and £54.50 for a juvenile team.

A badminton court for adults is now £15.40 an hour and a swim session £7.60.

Inverclyde Leisure and Inverclyde Council are jointly responsible for seven fitness gyms, three swimming pools, an ice rink, four sports centres, 23 football pitches, a golf course, an athletics stadium and an indoor bowling club.

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “We work closely with our partners Inverclyde Leisure to ensure access to leisure facilities and activities are as affordable as possible so they can be accessed by as many people as possible to encourage healthier and more active lifestyles and the physical and mental health benefits that comes with that.

“We have some of the best, if not the best, leisure facilities in the country with equipment from leading manufacturers and that’s been recognised by industry professionals.

“While we subsidise leisure facilities and have invested millions of pounds in making them the best they can be, they must be run sustainably and that is becoming more and more difficult in the face of continued cuts to local government funding and increasing running costs."

"Inverclyde Leisure is a not-for-profit, registered charitable trust with any surplus income reinvested back into the community and, contrary to what some people may think, the council does not make a profit from leisure.

“Over and above subsidies for leisure facilities, the council also provides grants to sports clubs and organisations through the Community Grants Fund and just recently awarded over £250,000 worth of grants to a variety of groups, including several youth football teams."

Inverclyde Leisure added: “We are confident we offer good value to our customers within the Inverclyde area and also compared to our neighbouring leisure trusts and local private operators.

"Our full One Life membership grants access to all Fitness gyms, swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and group fitness classes, "It also offers added value through exclusive perks and discounts on a range of additional products and services.

'We also have the longest opening hours in our facilities to meet our customer’s needs."

Inverclyde Leisure also say fitness classes are also now available from £3 depending on type and time.