The future of GL1 leisure centre and Oxstalls Sports Park will be discussed at a special meeting on Thursday (Oct 19).

Gloucester City Council will consider whether to put a strain on its own finances by spending £260,000 on keeping the facilities running.

It has been forced to step in after Aspire Sports and Cultural Trust's shock decision to go into liquidation.

The move saw both sports facilities suddenly closed and 150 jobs hanging in the balance and there is now uncertainty over the future of the leisure centre and park.

An Extraordinary Council meeting has been called so councillors can consider how the situation arose and what to do going forward.

Since Aspire announced it could no longer run the city's leisure facilities the council has been working with local partners on a phased reopening until an alternative provider is appointed.

Many clubs including local rugby, hockey and football teams have already returned to the outdoor pitches.

Gloucester City Swimming Club is due to return home to GL1  from today (Oct 16). It coaches more than 100 young people and children and has been based at the site since 1910.

However, the pools will not be open for public swimming sessions until a new leisure service operator is able to restart them.

Councillors are being asked to agree that a leisure contingency reserve fund of £260,000 should be established to support the development of interim leisure service management.

The report said: "This figure was provisionally earmarked as the additional sum that Aspire Trust indicated it needed to continue to trade beyond September 2023 to the end of the financial year. 

"If agreed, this will create an in-year financial pressure on the council's finances that will need to be managed through other budgetary corrective action or through the use of one-off reserves. 

"The cost of this interim service provision into future years will need to be factored into budget proposals for consideration by council in February 2024."

The report said the council wants to award a contract to a temporary provider and give employees made redundant by Aspire priority interviews for relevant roles.

It also wants council officers to enter negotiations with Aspire Trust and their liquidators to secure the best outcome for all creditors,including the council.

Going forward it will seek a long-term partner to manage the facilities.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, Lib Dem opposition leader, has submitted a motion which will be discussed at the meeting.

It said: "This council notes the closure of city council leisure and sports facilities following the collapse of Aspire Sports and Cultural Trust that operated GL1 Leisure Centre and the Oxstalls Tennis Centre on the council's behalf.

"This council agrees that the public and users of these sports facilities should not have to wait 12 months before they are reopened.

"This council calls on the administration to reopen these facilities as early as possible using staff directly employed by the city council if necessary."

The extraordinary meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 6.30pm at North Warehouse in The Docks on October 19.