Freedom Leisure awarded new contract to operate University Sports Arena and 3G pitches

Freedom Leisure has been awarded a new 10-year contract to operate the University of Gloucestershire’s Sports Arena and 3G pitches at Oxstalls Sport Park.  

This appointment is part of a major new partnership with Gloucester City Council and Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society, which will see Freedom Leisure take responsibility for the running of leisure services across the city, including GL1 and Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub.  

The new contract will officially come into place on the 2 January 2025.   

As Freedom Leisure has already been running services at the Sports Arena during evenings and weekends since the end of 2023, there will be a seamless continuation of service. As such, those using the facilities can rest assured that there will be no changes to existing services, and that all bookings will go ahead as planned. This includes all long-term bookings that extend into 2025.  

Those wishing to make new bookings (for either the arena or the 3G pitches) should continue to do so via the University team until 23 December 2024, when the facilities will then close for the Christmas/New Year period. Then, from 2 January 2025 onwards, customers should contact the Freedom Leisure team by emailing [email protected] 

All customers that currently use the Arena and 3G pitches during university hours (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) are invited to meet with Kate James from Freedom Leisure to discuss current and future bookings . Kate will be based at the Tennis Centre reception from 9am to 5pm between 25-27 November (9am to 5pm). No appointment is required.  

A strategic approach to leisure services  

Freedom is one of the UK’s largest not-for-profit leisure trusts and operates 120 leisure and cultural facilities across England and Wales, investing any profits back into its services. The new agreement sees them awarded a 10-year contract to run the Sports Arena and the 3G pitches, and Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub, and a 15-year contract to run GL1 and Oxstalls Tennis Centre.    

The strategic new approach is set to enhance leisure provision for residents, building on the Gloucester Sport and Physical Activity Strategy launched last year, that saw partners pledge to reduce levels of inactivity and help those who take part in physical activity and sport to be the best they can be.   

To find out more, visit https://www.gloucester.gov.uk/news/2024-news/gloucester-s-leisure-sector-set-for-boost-with-major-new-partnership/