The Vale of Glamorgan Council has agreed to a contract extension for its leisure centres with its current operational partner, Legacy Leisure. 

Services at the leisure centres have been provided by Legacy Leisure for ten years and will now continue until 2030. 

Since 2012 there have been major refurbishments of the facilities including the introduction of new activities, an extension of the fitness and swimming lesson products, and a commitment to keeping prices affordable.  

In 2018, Vale leisure centres attracted 800,000 visits, an increase of 20% since 2012. The centres are looking to recover to this level of usage following the interruption to services caused by COVID-19. 

Cllr Gwyn John, cabinet member for Leisure, Sport and Well-being said: "If the pandemic taught us anything it was that by being fit and healthy you are in the best place to resist anything that is thrown at you. 

"Barry and Penarth leisure centres are the most visited indoor facilities owned by the council and I am delighted to be able to celebrate signing the formal contract extension with Legacy Leisure." 

Glen Hall, managing director of Legacy Leisure added: "It's almost ten years to the day that we've had the privilege of operating the facilities on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan council and the partnership has been superb. 

"We've delivered some incredible results over those ten years and had great investments into the facility and that's really culminated in the last few days with the extension in the partnership through to 2030." 

"We're really excited by it. I think users and non-users will be excited in the additional investment that will start in the coming weeks and conclude by the end of the year, offering improved facilities, improved programming, improved service. 

"It's a really exciting time to offer improved leisure and recreational facilities."