Full charges for Fit Life questioned

Membership numbers are said to be holding up in council-run leisure centres across Aberdeen, Shire, Moray and Highland.

Bosses have continued charging full price for memberships despite reduced access with capacity curtailed in line with social distancing guidelines.

They say customers can freeze their payments if they do not want to attend and those who continue using the facility have raised “no complaints” about having to pay the full rate membership.

Only Aberdeenshire Council has temporarily lowered its prices to give “better value for money”.

SNP members Richard Lochhead for Moray and Jackie Dunbar for Aberdeen Donside said discounts would “only mean greater losses” for leisure centres.

Mr Lochhead added: “Most Fit Life members will have welcomed the decision of the council to stop taking payments during the closures.

“I recognise the revenue raised through the membership scheme is essential.”

Highland’s Labour, Green and Conservative MSPs argued customers would get a fairer deal if rebates could be given to customers who need it.

“Many members will have lost their jobs or will have seen significant drops in their income during the pandemic and it would be fair, with the reduction in services, to reduce the cost,” said Green MSP Ariane Burgess.

She added: “We’ve learned during the pandemic that physical activity contributes significantly to good mental health, so it is good to see that High Life Highland is doing what it can to keep its recreational facilities open to members.”

Conservative MSP Edward Mountain would also “welcome an option for reduced prices”.

He stressed there would be “a section of the public who are willing to continue to contribute at the prepandemic levels and we should encourage this”.

Labour’s Rhoda Grant said: “Exercise and fitness should be accessible to everyone. It is vital for our physical health but also our mental health, particularly as we are all living in a time of great stress and mental health across the country has taken a hit.

“I would encourage High Life Highland to look at their membership package for those who still are paying full price for reduced services.”

PROGRAMME: Fit Life member Richard Lochhead at Lossiemouth Swimming Pool.