Knowsley Council’s elected members were provided with an update on the progress of Volair, the Council owned company which manages and develops the borough’s leisure centres and leisure offer, at a meeting of full Council on 22 January 2025.
Darren Simpkin, Managing Director of Volair, provided a presentation to Council which included an overview of progress and plans, key insights into the business and the value of its health and wellbeing programmes.
Despite ongoing challenging economic conditions, such as the cost-of-living crisis, Volair’s overall performance has been improving. Membership volume, already high relatively, has still increased year on year, with revenues also increasing consistently to support the business development.
The business has had a resurgence of investments in most facilities alongside development of products and services to modernise and increase its appeal further, with more planned. Highlights included:
- Ongoing investments in facilities, such as
- Volair Stockbridge gym extension amd complete refurbishment
- Gym and 3G pitches refurbishment at Prescot Gym and Soccer Centre
- Completion of de-carbonisation at Volair Kirkby, with atrium and café refurbishments
- Refurbishment of gym and new strength equipment throughout at Volair Huyton
- Rebranding programme to Active Health, highlighting the intrinsic link of activity to health
- Improved offers and products including the new Youth GymX membership increasing acces
- The value of health programmes that Volair provide and support partners with.
The full report can be found here.