The cost of swimming and other sporting activities at four of York's key venues will rise by an average of 2.5 per cent under a proposed new pricing structure.

The Barbican Sports Centre, Edmund Wilson Swimming Pool, Oaklands Sports Centre and Yearsley Swimming Pool will be affected by the price rises which, if agreed by councillors, will come into effect from April 1.

It will mean, for example, a swim for a York adult at the three swimming pools rising from £2.40 to £2.45; a sauna at the Barbican for a non-York adult going up from £5 to £5.15; and hall hire at Oaklands rising from £32 to £32.95. Total Leisure Management (TLM) runs the four leisure centres and its running costs are offset by income from admission prices and a management fee from the York Leisure Office, to which it is contracted. David Finnegan, director of commercial services at the City of York Council, said that the main objective of the price rise was "to ensure the TLM account maintains current performance.

"There is a need, therefore, to raise prices in line with the estimated inflation increase in the main cost drivers of labour and energy.

"As this year's national wage settlement has yet to be agreed, our best estimate for the next 12 months is an overall increase in costs of three per cent. TLM are committed to continuous efficiency gains and have a good record of success. It is therefore proposed to limit price increases across all of the key activities to an average of 2.5 per cent with no individual price rise above three per cent."

However, there is good news for people who get concessionary rates at the three swimming pools, such as OAPs, as some concession prices actually go down. Mr Finnegan said that a concession swim for a York resident at the three pools would cost £1.50 instead of the current price of £1.60 and a loyalty swimcard £12 as opposed to the present £12.80. This was to address complaints that last year's price increase was greater, in percentage terms, for concessions than standard prices. Councillors are to decide upon the proposed new pricing structure at an executive meeting on Friday at 3pm in the Guildhall.

Updated: 14:49 Monday, February 05, 2001