Parkwood wins 15-year contract to run Elm Park Leisure Centre

£435,730 investment planned, but council still faces £25,000 monthly loan repayments

By Rich Coulter

Parkwood Leisure has been selected to run Elm Park Leisure Centre for the next 15 years, with plans for £435,730 of investment in new gym equipment and energy-efficiency improvements.

Filton Town Council resolved to award the contract to Parkwood Leisure at its full council meeting on October 20, following a competitive tender process.

However, the award remains subject to the successful completion of contract negotiations, which are due to begin on October 26, with the aim of signing a formal agreement in early December.

Parkwood Leisure took over the centre in May 2025 after it closed under its previous operator. The new contract would extend that relationship, with the council hoping to secure the facility’s long-term future and improve its financial performance.

Town Clerk Simon Davies said the council had awarded the tender to Parkwood Leisure on the basis of its competitive bid.

He said the partnership would bring “stability and a high-quality leisure facility with a distinct Filton community perspective”.

All existing leisure centre jobs will be protected under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations, known as TUPE, which safeguard employees’ rights when they transfer to a new employer.

£435,730 investment planned

Parkwood’s successful bid includes £435,730 of funding for improvements to Elm Park Leisure Centre. The council’s press release states that the money will be funded by Parkwood Leisure but repaid during the length of the contract.

The package includes £170,000 for replacement gym equipment, including new Life Fitness machines and a reconfigured layout.

A further £203,730 is earmarked for energy improvements over the first two years. These include pool covers, upgraded controls for air-handling systems and pumps, building management systems, battery storage and other plant improvements.

Parkwood Leisure estimates the energy measures could save around £59,500 a year.

The proposals also include £52,000 for an upgrade to the group exercise studio and £13,000 for improvements to the café, including its menu and seating.

The company also plans to develop a distinct Elm Park brand and introduce programmes designed to encourage more people to use the centre.

Income rising as costs fall

Parkwood’s supporting statement to the council argues that the centre has made significant progress since the company took over in May 2025.

The initial period was spent reopening and stabilising the facility, recruiting a new team, addressing outstanding compliance issues and introducing new management systems.

Figures submitted by Parkwood show average monthly income increased by 52% between October-December 2025 and July-September 2026, while the average monthly net cost to the council fell by 42% over the same periods.

Income rose from an average of £49,000 a month in the final quarter of 2025 to £74,300 a month in July-September 2026.

Parkwood’s bid projects annual operating income of around £1.08 million in the first year of the new contract, rising to approximately £1.41 million by the third year.

Under the proposed financial arrangements, Parkwood projects payments totalling approximately £1.53 million to the council over the 15-year term.

The bid also proposes that the council will have no net operating cost to pay from the start of the new contract.

However, the council will still have to repay the public works loan secured to fund the rebuilding of Elm Park Leisure Centre. The loan has 15 years left to run, with repayments of around £25,000 a month.

The new contract does not remove that existing borrowing commitment, which represents a significant ongoing cost for the authority.

While Parkwood’s bid projects an improvement in the centre’s operating finances, the £1.53 million figure is a projection rather than a guaranteed payment. The council’s wider financial position will also be affected by its existing loan repayments and the final terms agreed with Parkwood Leisure .

Focus on community use

Alongside its plans to increase income, Parkwood has proposed expanding participation through swimming lessons, community programmes, health referrals and activities aimed at priority groups.

Its proposals include developing swimming provision from early-years aquatics to adult confidence sessions, with options such as female-only and multicultural sessions.

The company also plans to target membership offers at students, local employers and workers involved in the area’s development, including those employed by major local businesses.

Parkwood says it has re-established partnerships with Filton schools, sports clubs and local organisations since reopening the centre.

The bid also proposes using data and artificial intelligence tools to help manage bookings, improve customer retention and tailor services to local demand.

The council will retain oversight of the arrangement, with Parkwood Leisure proposing regular operational reviews, quarterly strategic meetings and annual service planning.

Securing the centre’s future

Parkwood took over Elm Park Leisure Centre in May 2025 after the facility closed under its previous operator. The centre subsequently reopened following an agreement with the council.

The new contract would extend that relationship for 15 years, with the aim of moving from the initial stabilisation period towards longer-term investment and growth.

In its press release, the council said the partnership combined its commitment to residents with Parkwood’s experience of managing leisure facilities.

It said the arrangement offered “the best opportunity to provide a stable, sustainable and high-quality leisure service with a strong focus on the needs of the Filton community”.

Negotiations are due to begin on October 26, with the council and Parkwood aiming to sign the agreement in early December.

The contract award remains subject to those negotiations being completed successfully.