Hundreds sign petition over stadium operation plan

More than 700 people have signed a petition calling on Birmingham City Council "to halt the planned handover" of the running of the Alexander Stadium.

The venue formed the centrepiece of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but now is at the centre of a row between its owners, the local authority, and local campaigners.

They want a public consultation into plans to hand the running of the site and attached gym to Birmingham Community Leisure Trust (BCLT) and its partners Serco until 2030.

The council said the site would remain in public ownership, but like other leisure venues would be run on its behalf by BCLT, which had a "proven track record" in improving public participation while lowering costs.

The stadium was revamped with more than £70m of public funding in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, with politicians, including then Prime Minister Theresa May promising it would benefit the local community.

Petition organisers have called for local residents and gym users to be able to have their say on the proposals.

Petition organiser Andrew Gulliver cited a report to the council's cabinet in March, which said no "further consultation has been undertaken" over the proposed contract change.

The report said the council had a contract with BCLT for operating other leisure centres and the proposal to incorporate managing the stadium would secure "best value" from the remaining time of the contract until 2030.

But the petition statement asks the authority to commit to exploring alternative management options, including a "council-run, non-profit or community-led model that can meet savings targets".

The March local authority report said under the plans the stadium would attract more users, leading to higher membership and usage fees that would deliver a £300,000 a year saving.

It said it was essential the facility "transitions to its most efficient and effective operating model" and outsourcing management would mean better "community engagement".

The authority told the BBC it had agreed to establish a gym user group with council and BCLT representatives "to work through issues and concerns".

Planned improvements included a new 120-station health and fitness suite, a new artificial pitch for football and rugby, a new cycle studio and a refurbished indoor athletics hall, it added.

The completed stadium regeneration "delivers a lasting" Games legacy in promoting sport and recreation "for not just the people of Perry Barr but the whole city", the council said.

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