Some of the team who saved Oaklands Community Pool from closure a decade ago have set their sights on doing the same for another council-owned leisure centre in the heart of the city.

Saint Marys Leisure Centre CIO has been formed with the aim of operating St Mary's Leisure Centre, in the hope of achieving the same success as the pool in Lordshill, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary since its saviour.

It comes after Southampton City Council invited charities and community groups to apply to take on a long lease for the centre, in St Mary's Road. 

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The team from Saint Marys Leisure Centre CIO plan to submit a plan ahead of the application deadline on Sunday (March 2).

A spokesperson said: "We hope to use a simliar model to what we had at Oaklands. The charity is set up with the intention to operate St Mary's solely and operate it both as a leisure centre, but as a community centre too. 

"We intend to collaborate with other sports groups, community groups and user groups to expand the current offering, to be a home for the community and to outreach to those communities that cannot access the services currently offered.

"We will be affordable and reinvest profits back into the facility and improve the centre."

The council has confirmed it will be offering the lease at a low cost, with the Grade II-listed building remaining wholly owned by the local authority.

St Mary’s Community Leisure Centre was closed in late 2021 by the Conservative administration, but when Labour regained control of the council, the site was reopened in August 2022 after a campaign by residents.

The centre is currently managed by charity Active Nation, with facilities including a gym, badminton and squash courts, a hall for hire and activity rooms.

Civic bosses want an organisation that will work alongside residents, voluntary sector organisations and community groups to take over its management. 

(Image: Oaklands Community Pool) Oaklands, which opened in 1986, was faced with closure following council budget cuts back in 2012.

Following a two-year battle and subsequent major refurbishment, it reopened in early 2015.

Since then, a £165,000 changing room refurbishment has taken place, alongside other upgrades to facilities.