One Card Membership Bounces Back To Exceed Pre-Covid Levels

Membership numbers across the Isle of Wight Council's leisure centres have bounced back to exceed pre-Covid levels.

One Card subscriptions have soared to around 7,500 with 1Leisure facilities attracting some 750,000 visits in the 12 months up to March 2024.

Of those 7,500 members, almost 900 are young people aged between 16 and 25, and more than 730 are aged under 16 — all getting active with the help of classes and facilities at Medina Leisure Centre in Newport, Westridge in Ryde and The Heights in Sandown.

Membership numbers had declined to about 4,350 during the pandemic when leisure centres and swimming pools closed their doors as the country went into a series of lockdowns.

During the closures leisure staff worked in the community to support the Covid response.

Despite the significant recovery in both income and membership numbers which continue to climb, the cost of running the leisure centres has risen dramatically since the pandemic.

Increases in utility costs — of around 500 per cent for gas and 300 per cent for electricity — have had a considerable impact on the leisure service, though costs have started to come down.

This is being helped by recent work to reduce carbon emissions and utility consumption with the installation of solar panels, LED lighting, air-source heat pumps, and high-efficiency circulation pumps as part of a £1.2 million council investment in its leisure centres.

The solar energy produced from hundreds of solar panels on the roof of Medina Leisure Centre is also charging the council's fleet of electric cars as well as helping to heat both swimming pools.

Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet member for leisure services, said:

"Public sport and leisure services aim to reach everyone in our community, young and old, disabled residents, and those seeking support in elite sports.

"The provision of leisure services and our investment in these hugely-popular facilities underlines our commitment to support the Island's community through our valued services, helping residents to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing.

"The Mental Health Foundation expound the view that “we need to change how we view physical activity in the UK to not see it as something we ‘have to do’, ‘should do’ or ‘ought to do’ for our health, but as something that we do because we value its positive benefits to our wellbeing".

One Card membership gives unlimited access to the council's high-quality sports and fitness activities including Tone Zone gyms, fitness classes, swimming, racket sports and much more. Gold One Card holders also benefit from free one-to-one gym training sessions with qualified instructors.  

1Leisure also runs a successful Exercise on Referral Scheme which is open to anyone with a medical condition that would benefit from taking part in physical activity on a regular basis.

Instructors work to develop a personalised programme that includes one-to-one support and activities that are suitable for the medical condition.

The referral scheme offers great value for money with a reduced membership price during the referral period.

Regular physical activity reduces the risk of serious illness and disease including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

It also relieves anxiety and improves mood.

Jo Jefferies, the council's associate director of Public Health, said:

"Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

"Being physically active can improve your mental wellbeing, help manage weight, strengthen your bones and muscles, reduce the risk of disease, including diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, and improve your ability to do everyday activities."