A RYEDALE sports centre has restricted public access to facilities due to rising costs.

The centre will operate for fewer hours on Saturdays and will be closed on Sundays. Furthermore, fitness classes are no longer available to the community.

The increase in operating costs and energy prices  has prompted the sports centre to introduce these changes despite local opposition from the residents who make extensive use of the facilities, including the swimming pool and the gym.

A statement from St Alban’s Sports Centre, which is managed by  the Ampleforth Abbey Trust, said: "Due to increasing costs affecting the UK leisure industry, including rising energy prices, it has become necessary to review the sustainability of our operations here at St Alban’s Sports Centre.

"As such, we have taken the decision to reduce both our opening hours and our offer to customers from 1st March 2023.

"After this time, our general opening hours will be Monday – Friday 12pm – 8pm and Saturday 9am – 4pm. Operating during these hours will mean that our public swimming lessons, and offering for local schools can continue as usual.

"Pay-per-visit use of our sports hall, fitness suite and swimming pool will also continue to be available to the public in these hours. The Centre will no longer offer sports centre memberships or fitness classes after this time.

"All current members will be contacted individually in the coming days, and refunds will be arranged for those who have paid in advance. Direct debits will no longer be collected from 1st March.

"We’d like to thank you all for your custom of St Alban’s Sports Centre and for your understanding as we take this difficult yet essential decision."

North Yorkshire County Councillor George Jabbour said it was important there was  minimal impact on the wider community who had loyally supportedthe facility,

He said: "As a regular user of the gym, I know first-hand the excellent quality of the facilities that are available at St Alban’s Sports Centre. People from all backgrounds and age groups regularly come to the sports centre, not only from Ampleforth, but also from many other parishes.

"When the recent restrictions to the operations of the St Alban's centre were announced, I received communications from both local residents and fellow gym-goers to highlight how the reduction in the opening hours and services might negatively affect their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

"While we all appreciate that rising energy prices have made it more difficult for many organisations to operate, particularly in the leisure industry, St Alban’s Sports Centre must ensure that the new changes will have minimal impact on the wider community who has loyally supported it for a long time."