Growing Ambitions at YMCA
Press Release
Issues by: YMCA Fylde Coast
Email: enquiries@fyldecoastymca.org
Date: 17th September 2025
FAQs: St Annes Pool
FAQs: Wyre Leisure Centres
Big changes are coming to YMCA Fylde Coast as it moves forward with its ambition to grow the quality of its services. As a charity operating on the Fylde Coast since 1922, YMCA has long delivered its charitable work through its leisure, housing, youth and outdoor education services and whilst this will remain the case it has opted not to submit bids to continue its contract to operate the local authority owned leisure centres in Fylde and Wyre. Instead, YMCA will concentrate its investment in its owned buildings, including refurbishments at its leisure centres in St Annes and Lytham and continued development of its flagship outdoor education centre on the southwestern shores of Windermere.
Graham Oatridge, CEO of YMCA Fylde Coast said, “We are hugely proud to have worked with both Wyre Council and Fylde Council on the operation of their leisure facilities for as long as we have. However, after great consideration of the contract requirements, we have opted not to submit bids for continued operation of these centres, and we will therefore work with the councils to ensure a smooth handover of these operations from 1st April 2026. Despite this decision, YMCA remains committed to active wellbeing and will continue to run its own leisure centres in St Annes and Lytham and will remain a willing partner in delivering health and wellbeing services across the area. We are excited about the opportunity that this will create for us to develop services from our own facilities. I’d like to place on record my gratitude to the staff that have been so committed to delivering the best service possible and to our council colleagues for working in partnership with YMCA over the course of our contracts.”
New and existing leisure centre members have nothing to worry about, with YMCA continuing the operation until the end of March 2026 and the newly appointed operators continuing the services after this date ensuring the memberships are honoured. Both YMCA and Wyre and Fylde Councils remain committed to providing timely updates as the tendering process continues.
Councillor Lynne Bowen, Leisure, Health and Community Engagement Portfolio Holder at Wyre Council said:
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the YMCA Fylde Coast for their long-standing partnership and the invaluable contribution they have made to leisure services in Wyre. Their commitment has helped shape inclusive, welcoming spaces that have supported thousands of residents in leading healthier, more active lives.
“Whilst there are going to be changes to the management of the centres, we want to reassure residents and users that all Wyre leisure centres will remain open.
Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture at Fylde Council, said: “We’re currently analysing proposals from operators who share our commitment to providing accessible and sustainable swimming facilities for all Fylde residents. We recognise that these pools are essential community assets, and we’re working to secure the best possible future for our facilities, both in St Annes and in Kirkham, while ensuring vital services like school swimming continue throughout.”
In the meantime, YMCA has been working with local architects to plan refurbishments at its St Annes and Lytham sites and will be confirming investment this autumn. YMCA has also secured planning permission to allow the development of a new day camp base, staff accommodation and kit stores at YMCA Lakeside, cementing its position as one of the premier outdoor education centres in the UK.
For more information about YMCA Fylde Coast and its facilities across the boroughs of Fylde and Wyre and Cumbria, visit www.ymcayactive.org
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