A new deal creates city-wide sports campus for students.
25,000 Liverpool JMU students and 3,000 staff benefit from deal
University students are to get free access to the city council’s Lifestyles fitness centres in a ground breaking partnership being launched on Monday (20 June).
The agreement, which begins in September, will see Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) make a substantial contribution of £400,000 per year towards the running costs of local authority facilities in return for its 25,000 students and 3,000 staff getting no cost, off-peak access.
The collaboration means they will be able to use top-of-the-range gym equipment and make the most of the city’s 8 swimming pools - including the Olympic sized pool at Liverpool Aquatics Centre in Wavertree – and 9 gyms.
They will also have access to two golf courses, squash and badminton courts and many coached fitness classes on tennis court bookings.
As part of the deal, council facilities will also be made available for sports club training, competitions and the university’s educational programme in light of the university’s announcement that it’s closing the IM Marsh campus.
Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Joe Anderson, said: “This innovative agreement is a win-win for the city council, the University and its thousands of students.
“This investment from the University not only makes a valuable contribution to our running costs, but will also be a major boost for students during their studies at a time when every penny counts.
“Liverpool has always been an attractive city for students, but this deal adds something extra and will be particularly attractive for those who are keen on sport and fitness.
“Instead of just offering campus leisure facilities, this deal will offer a city-wide network of top class facilities on the doorstep of students, wherever they choose to live in Liverpool.
“I’m pleased we can work in partnership with the university and offer students not just the highest levels of education, but also gives them the opportunity to make the most of the city council’s leisure facilities and adopt a healthy lifestyle during their time in Liverpool.”
LJMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Brown, said: “This deal provides much needed support to allow the city council to continue delivering first class facilities to all the citizens of Liverpool.
“The partnership opens up the excellent sports facilities in the city to both our students and staff, and the city wide locations promotes great levels of access, really improving on what we can offer as a University to people studying and working at LJMU.
“The decision has taken into account student feedback and also reflects the University’s close working relationship with Liverpool City Council.”
Students who want to make the most of the facilities in peak hours can get a discounted membership rate ranging from £5-9 per month. Staff can also upgrade their membership for £8-12 per month.
The arrangement will apply to all LJMU students – both full and part time – but not those who are studying LJMU programmes at other institutions, eg: LIPA and Liverpool Community College.
Amy Larsen, a 20 year old LJMU Nautical Science student, said: "This new partnership will make a huge difference to me. I usually use the gym or the pool but I'd love to try out some classes and activities that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to otherwise."
"I currently pay for a gym membership but with considering the high cost of living, it is becoming difficult to maintain, so I would definitely make full use of this service."
Liverpool’s Lifestyle Centres are: Garston, Peter Lloyd, Alsop, Austin Rawlinson, Cardinal Heenan, Croxteth, Ellergreen, Everton Park, Millennium, Park Road, Toxteth, Walton, Wavertree Athletics Centre, Wavertree Sports Park