Two Liverpool organisations have applied to take over two of the city’s Lifestyles centres.
Liverpool City Council last year announced plans to seek external contractors for its Everton Park and Park Road sites due to financial viability issues.
Ahead of the fate of both facilities being discussed at an extraordinary cabinet meeting, council bosses have revealed the identity of two interested parties.
St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust are willing to take operation of Everton Park’s Lifestyles, located next to Notre Dame Catholic Academy.
The Academy Trust is responsible for Notre Dame, whose students regularly utilise the nearby centre’s facilities.
Meanwhile, the City of Liverpool Gymnastics Foundation submitted a separate proposal for the Park Road site, where they are currently based.
Cllr Harry Doyle, cabinet member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said: “To have two strong formal expressions of interest from such well-established and respected Liverpool organisations is a positive step forward.
“As a Lifestyles member myself, I know how important our leisure centres are to our communities.
“We do have budget pressures, that’s why we took the decision in December 2023 to seek expressions of interest from community organisations, organisations that can access funding we can’t in order to improve and future-proof these vital assets.
“We have a strong track record when it comes to Community Asset Transfers and it’s a process which really empowers communities and local organisations to shape their local area for the better.
“This process still has some way to go, but we hope that we can move forward with a new way of working very soon.”