Warwick Sport membership prices set to increase from August onwards

Warwick Sport membership prices will be increased by £30 on average* from 1 August 2019 “to keep them competitive and offer value for money”, according to the University of Warwick.

An average increase of 19% from last year*, the new prices per year proposed for 2019/20 at the new Sports Hub are £299 for the Inclusive membership, £265 for Gym, £205 for Tennis, £200 for Climbing and £90 for Swim, which has the same price as Racquets.**

Warwick’s Director for Sport and Active Communities, Lisa Dodd-Mayne, explained in an email that the University hopes to give “the best possible experience by operating safely and sustainably”, and that the memberships are “competitively priced”.

The Boar inquired the University further about the price increases. They said: “Warwick always reviews prices on an annual basis, comparing our memberships against those of other local providers in order to keep them competitive and offer value for money for our students and community members.

“This year, as our new Sports and Wellness hub opened mid-season, members have enjoyed the brand new extended facilities for the price of last year’s membership. As of August 1, prices will increase, factoring in the extended, state of the art facilities and more classes.”

This year, as our new Sports and Wellness hub opened mid-season, members have enjoyed the brand new extended facilities for the price of last year’s membership

– University of Warwick

Meanwhile, equipment in the old Sports Centre was sold back to Technogym, the supplier, “ensuring best value, and was taken away for re-use or recycling”.

Last year, membership prices dropped after lobbying by the Students’ Union (SU). When The Boar asked the University about the changes, they said that it was “reverted to an inflation only rise on last year’s prices”.

Those prices retained “proposed year on year reduction in the price of student club membership and all-inclusive passes”.

“The total cost to the University’s finances of reverting to last year’s sporting costs and arrangements as a whole will add at least a further £289,000 to the current £1.6 million subsidy (plus inflation) for sport at Warwick,” they added.

Regarding the price changes, a History and Politics student entering his third year said: “The various prices for membership at Warwick is another example to show the out-of-touch character of the upper and middle management at the University.

It is appalling to see that students must pay this much a month to workout at the gym

– Anonymous Warwick student

“It is appalling to see that students must pay this much a month to workout at the gym, a reality that proves – as E. P. Thompson I am sure would agree – the extortionate and business-first nature of the University’s outlook.

“The new leisure centre is clearly an investment at the expense of student satisfaction, a reality that has become exponentially worse as evidenced from us being outside of the top 10 universities in university table history.”

*This figure was calculated by finding the pound difference for the price of each yearly membership and taking the average difference, which is presented both in pounds and in percentage form.

**A previous version of this article compared the prices of nine-month memberships, which are no longer available according to the University, who disclosed the prices listed above to The Boar.

Currently listed on the Warwick Sport webpage are three-month offers for non-member students to have a “taster”, which will end in July. “This is likely to happen for 19/20 academic year and prices will be released later in the new academic year,” the University said.