Xcite leisure centres open despite crisis
West Lothian Leisure’s Xcite centres reopen later this month after more than a year’s disruption, as the charity battles to stay operational.
Losses are expected to top £8m after a year plus of pandemic shutdowns.
The Scottish Government has committed to financing organisations like West Lothian Leisure and continues to support it through funding to West Lothian Council.
At its last meeting the council’s Executive agreed to the payment of £558,0000 to WLL, this being the proportion of additional government grant funding the council has received from the Scottish Government that relates to WLL’s lost income.
The WLL Board agreed budgets for 2021/22 and 2022/23 on 27 January 2021.
These show deficit positions of £2.731 million in 2021/22 and £1.389 million in 2022/23.
In total the funding package for the next year agreed by the Executive was £2.682 million.
Councillor Frank Anderson SNP depute leader called on the council to re-examine its relationship with its arms’ length operation saying that plans originally drawn up five years ago took no account of the changes brought about by the pandemic.
The lockdowns have been a hammer blow.
The charity has cut staff and those in post have taken a pay cut as part of its cost saving measures.
With 470 staff, it is still one of the biggest employers in the county.
Earlier this year the charity decided to quit its tenancy of the Low Port Outdoor Centre at Linlithgow- instead offering outdoor activities at other centres across the county.
In the year before the lockdowns its facilities had almost three million visitsover 7000 a day.
The charity manages sport, leisure and culture venues and services on behalf of West Lothian Council. The trust status saves the council £1.5m a year in costs which it would otherwise have to leverage.
Tim Dent the Chief Executive of WLL said: “West Lothian Leisure is delighted that West Lothian Council has agreed a funding package, which provides for a reserve that can be drawn down if required, to help WLL recover from the pandemic.
“After an extremely challenging 12 months, this two-year agreement, along with the easing of restrictions, means that we can finally start to look forward with some optimism.
“This announcement will help mitigate the uncertain economic landscape ahead and help us navigate the 18 months to two years it is likely to take to return to pre- covid business activity levels.
“The pandemic has forced us to review all aspects of how we operate; therefore, we will continue to explore new ways of working in future.
A priority will be to continue to provide core services such as our health and well-being programmes aimed at improving physical and mental health - which post-pandemic, are likely to be needed more than ever before. “
He added: “As we get ready to welcome back the one in seven in West Lothian who use our Xcite venues and services to stay active, this funding commitment gives us a sporting chance of returning the charity to a balanced financial position and refocusing on our vision of ‘a West Lothian where everyone can live a healthier, happier, longer life’.”
Earlier this year we reported that West Lothian Leisure has secured Scottish Government funding in its struggle to stay in shape for the end of lockdown as it faces year end losses of £8m.
The money camefrom the government’s Lost Income Scheme.
It was the latest cash injection to the organisation which runs the Xcite gyms and sports facilities across the county.
WLL has also been able to reschedule debt repayments of £803,000 to the council this year, which will be paid back in later years.
So far WLL has received £500,000 in additional funding from the council, along with a ‘letter of comfort’ which assures support as long as recovery plans are in place.
In the year before the lockdowns, its facilities had almost three million visits -over 7000 a day.
The charity has cut staff and those in post have taken a pay cut as part of its cost saving measures. With 470 staff it is still one of the biggest employers in the county.