SportsPark fee changes to support investment in sport

SportsPark fees will increase by around 10% from 1 August 2023 to cover rising costs and support investment in sport and active wellbeing across the University.

The increase in membership and pay as you go charges will generate additional income to help address inflationary costs, which are hitting all our services at the University, and to fund improvements.

Sarah Humphreys, who joined the University as Head of SportsPark in March, said: “We are at a point where investment is needed in sport and active wellbeing right across the University. We need to adapt to ensure we are offering what our users want and bring in new ideas to increase opportunities to engage in sport for all staff and students

“To achieve this, we must generate additional income. With sport currently operating at a deficit, these changes to our membership and fee structure will enable us to continue to operate and re-invest for the future.”

The SportsPark offers facilities for a wide variety of sports and activities on campus. The new prices – which are rounded to the nearest 50p for a clear pricing policy – therefore continue to represent good value compared to other sports and leisure centres in the region that offer similar ranges of facilities.

Membership fee changes

Staff can choose from three existing membership options: Pay As You Go, VO₂ and VO₂ Max.

Pay As You Go offers discounted ad hoc access to the gym, exercise classes, courts and pitches for a one-off annual fee. The VO₂ options provide unlimited access to different facilities and activities at Reading and access to more than 70 other university gyms around the country.

The VO₂ options require an additional joining fee of £15 for staff and students paying by monthly direct debit.

Pay As You Go fee changes

Charges to use the SportsPark facilities on an ad hoc basis are also increasing by around 10%.

For members not on VO₂ or VO₂ Max plans, this means a visit to the gym will cost £6 (60p increase from current price), a general exercise class will cost £5 (25p increase), sports hall court hire will cost £8.50 (70p increase) and 5-a-side football pitch hire will cost £34.50 (£3 increase).

For non-members, a gym day pass will be £10 (85p increase) and an exercise class will cost £8 (85p increase). Charges will also increase for non-staff and student visitors.

See the full list of new Pay As You Go and membership charges, which will be published on the SportsPark website on 1 August 2023.

TennisPark access

The TennisPark-only membership will no longer be available from 1 August 2023. The indoor and outdoor tennis courts will therefore only be accessible via pay-as-you-go or VO₂ memberships.

This change simplifies the membership structure and better reflects user habits, as well as generating additional income to support Sport at the University.