FUSION Lifestyle has been selected as the preferred leisure operator for West Devon, replacing current operator 1Life.

Along with South Hams, the two local authorities have announced that, subject to approval by full council, the preferred operator for leisure centres across both West Devon Borough and South Hams District Councils is Fusion Lifestyle, a registered charity devoted to encouraging participation in sport and physical activity which has been operating across the UK since 2000.

It means that Fusion?Lifestyle will take over the running of Parklands Leisure Centre in Okehampton and Meadowlands Swimming Pool in Tavistock.

Cllr Robert Sampson, West Devon Borough Council’s Lead Member for Commercial Services, said: ‘Cllr Bastone and I both know how important these services are to our customers and we have spent a great deal of time selecting the right candidates.

‘We also want to say a big thank you to the current leisure providers, Tone Leisure in South Hams and 1life in West Devon, for the many years that they have dedicated to health and wellbeing.’

Cllr Hilary Bastone, South Hams District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer First, said: ‘Firstly a huge well done to Fusion. The competition was tough, we saw some fantastic operators who were very experienced, but ultimately we were all agreed that Fusion would offer our leisure users an excellent service.

‘It has been a pleasure to sit alongside my fellow councillors at West Devon, on the leisure procurement board. Our joint vision for good quality health and wellbeing leisure services across both areas is a commitment to our residents that we want the best for them and we are both confident that we have found that in Fusion.’

Fusion Lifestyle is a registered charity, which means that all of the money that they receive is used to enhance and develop services and facilities.

Peter Kay, Fusion Lifestyle’s chief executive officer, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have been selected as preferred operator and we are looking forward to developing a long and successful partnership with the two councils. 

‘Fusion is committed to the principle of delivering high quality services and facilities which are inclusive and accessible to all members of the local communities.  We will work closely with existing customers and new users to deliver facility developments and service improvements.’

If both South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council approve the appointment of Fusion Lifestyle as the new leisure provider the service will commence on December 1.

The contract will be in operation over a period of 25 years and will deliver a sustainable service with controlled costs and clear community benefit outcomes, achieve reductions and minimise revenue costs and draw in significant investment and development of the leisure centres.