Changes to the way that Moray Council operates its health and leisure facilities appears to be having a positive effect on local communities.
That is the view being taken from figures released after the local authority embarked on their radical ‘Fit Life?’ project in December.
The project aimed to increase attendance at council-operated health and fitness facilities throughout the region, introducing affordable monthly pricing for families and individuals. When the scheme was launched councillors asked that the new membership scheme was closely monitored.
Now a report shows that the monthly £19 fee for individuals and £27 for family groups is having a positive effect, with 764 family memberships taken up and 547 individual since the launch of the scheme.
There has also been a major increase in the number of people attending health and fitness facilities. In March almost 38,000 attended the council facilities – a 10% increase on the same month in 2014.
A Moray Council spokesman said: “Clearly we can’t prove that these increases are down solely to the Fit Life? Membership scheme – but we know there is anecdotal evidence that people who have taken out membership want to get the full benefit from it and plan on making good use of the facilities.”
Moray Council say that 3421 new membership cards have been issued since the scheme was introduced. The Fit Life? membership allows access to all Moray Council health and leisure facilities and includes such as junior swimming lessons and exercise classes.
Further information on the Fit Life? membership scheme can be found on the Moray Council website.