After a detailed review of its charging structure the National Sports Centre has announced a new range of updated and simplified charges, coming into effect from 6 July.
The new structure reflects the need to simplify the increasingly complex number of pricing options available across the full range of sports at the NSC. These are currently determined by a number of factors including age, time of visit, residency status, disability, membership level and type of sport.
It also prepares the NSC for the launch of a fully online booking system and revised website, set to go live later this year.
The new range of prices means that there will no longer be any resident discount, although users can continue to use the current Resident Discount cards until a replacement is confirmed.
Instead, discounted pricing will be determined by how often an individual uses the NSC’s facilities, including a loyalty reward scheme that will benefit those who make the most use of the NSC, regardless of the amount spent.
Alongside this change the new structure will also simplify the price and discount options available, with just two time-based options, Peak and Off-Peak, for indoor sports hall, squash and exercise class bookings. All other casual bookings, including swimming and the use of the gym, will have a single price, regardless of the time of the visit to the NSC.
Added to these changes, the range of concessions and special prices will also be made simpler and easier to understand. There will be just three concession levels after the launch of the new structure: 30% reduction (over-65s, under-18s, students in full time education, Isle of Man Army Reservists); 50% reduction (customers with disabilities and GP referrals); and Free of Charge (serving members of the armed forces and those receiving Sports Aid).
The revised structure will mean that a number of prices will decrease compared to current charging levels, particularly for those individuals who select a new membership package, available over three or 12 months, rather than a pay-as-you-go approach.
Some other prices will increase, with these changes primarily affecting block bookings in the main sports hall. The NSC is contacting all key hirers of the facility, before the new pricing comes into effect, to explain the reason for the changes and to explore ways of reducing the impact of any price increases. In particular, the team will be explaining how the space can be used more efficiently, with many long-standing users of the sports hall booking the full hall when just half is needed.
Paul Bridson, Head of Sport and Recreation, commented:
‘These price changes are long overdue, with some sports currently offering more than a dozen pricing options. The changes will help to clarify and simplify the cost of using the NSC for all our users, helping to pave the way for the new website and online booking system which are set to come in the near future.
‘The complex variations of the current system can be off-putting for potential users and I’m certain that the new, simplified system will attract more and more users to the Centre.’
Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Education and Children, echoed these comments. He said:
‘This is another important step forward in our overall Strategy for Sport, which we launched in 2014. We now have a range of fair, simple and straightforward charges across all of the NSC’s facilities.
‘That is good news for those who use this superb facility and for all those who we want to attract in future as we reinforce our vision of more people, more active, more often.’
