Leisure Centre prices to be equalised

Work is ongoing to “equalise” prices, according to Director of Leisure and Development Richard Baker, who was responding to a query from Ballymoney councillor John Finlay.

Councillor Finlay said he was aware of people in Ballymoney driving all the way to Coleraine to use gym facilities because they were “perceived as less expensive”.

Councillor Finlay also suggested discounted rates for people who “are unwell, who have a health condition that means they have to go to the gym to do some gentle exercise and things like that.”

He asked: “Are we getting to a place where everything in this council is the same place? Are we doing anything on this?”

Director of Leisure and Development Richard Baker replied: “The simple answer to your question is yes, very much so. We are doing it on the basis of the following principles - there should be a fair and equal charge across the Borough.

“If you are having a swim in the Roe Valley Leisure Centre it is the same price as the Joey Dunlop Centre.

“We also want to make sure that we are facilitating disadvantaged groups in the Borough on access to leisure.

“We are also trying to make sure we do not reduce the income that we are receiving.”

Explaining why the changes are not being introduced right away, Mr Baker said: “We inherited a very complicated system of rates and charges that existed in the legacy councils.”