A keen squash player from Wokingham has taken the council to task over ‘big increases’ to the cost of racket sports at its leisure centres.

Nick Dyer has reacted with bemusement over recent price increases which mean he may have to pay £1,144 per year for the squash games he enjoys.

Mr Dyer plays squash up to four times a week at St Crispin’s Leisure Centre in London Road, Wokingham.

Usually he has been able to play squash for free at off-peak times within his £30 per month (£360 per year) leisure service membership.

However, he must now pay £5.50 per off-peak squash booking. That’s because the council’s leisure contractor Places Leisure introduced a new, standardised pricing regime for sports on Tuesday, June 1, which has been touted as being better value as it allows for a range of sports activities in its membership.

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But Mr Dyer has argued that people who just want to play squash have been left with a hefty price hike.

He expressed his dissatisfaction in a written question to Wokingham Borough Council’s executive committee.

Mr Dyer wrote:  “Since 2013 the monthly membership fee, currently £30 per month and £360 per year, has allowed squash players to book off-peak courts at no additional cost.

“On Tuesday, May 11, without prior consultation, members were advised that with effect from Tuesday, June 1, that in addition to the monthly fee, a charge of £5.50 would be levied for every off-peak booking.

“Not many people play four times a week, but I and a number of others do (we were described by Places Leisure as “abnormal members”) but the impact on us is huge. The group I represent are mainly senior citizens for whom this is our main source of exercise which is now being discouraged.

“We believe some members will cancel and the rest of us will significantly reduce usage emerging from a pandemic.

“I would like to know what impact analysis on individuals was carried out by the council before they sanctioned these draconian price increases by Places Leisure and how they can be justified.”

Mr Dyer calculated how much more he would be spending now off peak courts have to be booked:

1 court booking per week:  £286 per year

2 court bookings per week: £572 per year

3 court bookings per week:  £858 per year

4 court bookings per week: £1,144 per year

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If Mr Dyer’s calculations are correct, to get his regular four times a week usage, he would have to pay a total of £1,504 (four court bookings per week every month, plus his £360 annual membership fee).

Leisure facilities in Wokingham Borough are run on the behalf of the council by Places Leisure, which is owned by Places for People, a development and leisure services management company. Places Leisure took over from the former contractor 1Life in May 2018.

Cllr Parry Batth, the Conservative executive member for environment and leisure, explained that the membership he has benefited from is a holdover from the service 1Life provided.

He said: “Within the existing terms and conditions for those that hold a membership with Places Leisure, changes can be made to memberships and at this point members will be notified and consulted prior to any changes and can, if they wish, cancel their membership.

“Proposed price changes that are not deemed core pricing sessions (which are increased yearly as per inflation and agreed with the Sport and Leisure team) are put forward for discussion and review and once agreed Places Leisure will initiate the changes in line with their terms and conditions.

“The legacy memberships were honoured for over three years whilst refurbishment & improvement works were carried out across all Wokingham sites.

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“The membership implemented for those that were on a legacy 1Life membership is not a rackets membership, as mentioned above there is no such membership that Places For People offer. The implemented membership is excellent value when combined with usage of the gym, fitness classes, swimming & 50 per cent off racket sports usage. On average, members book a racket court 1-2 times weekly. This frequency of use ensures their membership is still excellent value.

“After consultation, Mr Dyer was immediately transferred to a more suitable senior (over 60’s) membership, benefiting from unlimited access to the gym, group exercise classes along with the 50 per cent reduction on courts at St Crispin’s Leisure Centre for £29 month.

“Recommendations are also encouraged that members split the price of a squash court with their playing partner, rather than paying for the court in full themselves, reducing the racket usage costs by half.

“The over 60’s membership reduction also supports all those residents that Mr Dyer mentions, supporting and encouraging older residents within the Borough an affordable membership option for all activities offered.

“Places Leisure pricing remains extremely competitive and in many areas versus other like-for-like leisure providers in the local area (e.g. Everyone Active in Bracknell and GLL in Reading) and provides excellent value for money in which we encourage for the residents of Wokingham.”

Prices vary depending on the membership chosen.