Fears Colburn Leisure Centre could shut after operator pulls out | Darlington and Stockton Times – Darlington and Stockton Times

The future of a well-used leisure centre is uncertain after a huge bill increase has forced the charitable trust that runs it to pull out.
Richmondshire Leisure Trust (RLT), which runs Colburn Leisure Centre, has announced that it can no longer operate the facility due to a ‘significant increase in operating costs’.
It’s understood that the centre’s water and energy bills are expected to rise by almost £60,000 from £15,000 last year to a new annual price of £72,000.
Austin Gordon, the trust’s general manager, said in a statement: “Due to a significant increase in operating costs Richmondshire Leisure Trust (RLT) are unable to operate Colburn Leisure Centre under its present arrangement from Colburn Town Council.
“RLT have therefore given notice to Colburn Town Council to terminate its management under the present arrangements from November 30, 2022.
Read more: Tributes to ‘bright, funny, amazing’ Caleb who ‘had his whole life ahead of him’
“In the event of this situation changing, a further statement will be issued.”
Colburn Town Council was informed of the trust’s decision at a meeting on Monday (October 17).
Facilities at Colburn Leisure Centre Picture: Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)
Colburn Mayor, Cllr Jag Sharma, said work is now ongoing to find a way forward, including the possibility of finding another company to take over the centre’s running.
Mayor Sharma told The Northern Echo: “Hopefully we can find out some way to support the leisure centre.
“We are looking at various ways but at the moment there is nothing concrete; we are looking at the legal side and the funding side and working with community groups.”
The leisure centre opened in 2002 and in 2011 it became part of the Richmondshire Leisure Trust, a registered charity which provides leisure activities and community development services in the district.
As a charity, any surplus income generated is directly reinvested back into the centre to improve the facilities.
The centre boasts a gym with three separate areas, a free weights section; boxing room; a studio for exercise classes, children’s activities and aerial yoga, plus a four-acre sports field.
Facilities at Colburn Leisure Centre Picture: Northern Echo (Image: Northern Echo)
In July this year the trust launched a member recruitment drive after numbers dropped following the Covid pandemic and news of the centre’s possible closure has been met with shock and sadness.
Gill Hodgson’s 15-year-old son Alistair has used the centre regularly for ten years training and coaching with the Richmondshire Gymnastics Club which is based there.
She said that parents and members were shocked at the news it could close.
Gill said: “We are devastated by this news; my son is devastated by this news.
“Richmondshire Gymnastics club has over 400 members ranging from preschool to adult, of all abilities.
“The club provides a significant community hub for so many people and to some families it is an absolute lifeline.”
Gill said that if the centre closes then it could put the club at risk which would be ‘an horrendous situation’ for its members.
The club is very successful and Alistair was part of a team that won gold in May at the English Team gym Championships in Newcastle, following a silver medal win in April at the British Championships in Sheffield.
Gill said that the rising costs responsible for the trust pulling out were an example of living costs ‘spiralling out of control and impacting on the community’.
She added: “These are young athletes who are dedicated to their sport who are now potentially being impacted by the increasing energy costs.
“The coaches and the parents are now desperately trying to find a way to save the centre and their club.”
Richmondshire Gymnastics Club won a gold medal in May 2022 at the English Team gym Championships held in Newcastle Picture: Gill Hodgson (Image: Gill Hodgson)
Read more: 
If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community – a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Last Updated:
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s Editors’ Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here
© 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest’s audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |
Data returned from the Piano ‘meterActive/meterExpired’ callback event.
As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.
Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.
These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.
It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.

source