Passport to Sport

Whether a University student, staff member or a local resident, the new University of Essex 'Passport to Sport' scheme offers everyone membership of the excellent health and fitness facilities at the Sports Centre, located on the University's Wivenhoe Park campus in Colchester.

Facilities include the newly-opened £1.4 million spacious, air-conditioned Evolve gym, along with fitness studios and climbing wall and a wide variety of other indoor and outdoor facilities.

Our range of memberships offer tiers of unlimited usage suited to your fitness needs; with on or off-peak options, they represent fantastic value. The more regularly you use the Sports Centre, the more you save!

New membership tiers and prices

Following the first year of Passport to Sport, we have reviewed the scheme to ensure it is operating as efficiently as possible whilst offering the best possible level of customer service.

The basic, club class membership has been removed and replaced with a better value bronze membership which now gives access to facilities at peak time as well as off peak.
Specialist fitness courses, such as Fitball and Pilates will be included with no extra charge within the silver and gold memberships.
Gold & Silver members receive annual membership to the new Brightlingsea Watersports & Yacht Club free of charge.
All members also receive discounts on swimming, sauna and Jacuzzi facilities at Great Bentley Country Park.
A new procedure for outdoor, group bookings has been introduced.

Reduced prices for students from 1 April 2012

For new student members, Passport to Sport prices will be reduced as shown below as of 1 April 2012 for the remainder of the academic year. You can join by paying on line from 1 April or at Reception. Student memberships expire on 30 September.

Passport to Sport reduced membership April 2012

Please refer to our opening times for peak and off-peak times.

How do I join?

There are various options, available via the Sports Centre Reception or on line.

NEW MEMBERS
- Whether you're a new or returning student, you can purchase annual memberships by making a one off payment on-line via the webshop or via Reception. Reduced student memberships for the April-September period will be available to purchase on-line from 1 April 2012.
- If you would like the convenience of paying for your annual membership in three Direct Debit instalments, this option is available to set up at Reception throughout the autumn term only. You will need to have a UK bank account in order to take advantage of this scheme. Please note: This payment option is not available for reduced price memberships.

University of Essex staff can make a monthly payment by salary deduction. Students' Union staff can also make a monthly payment by salary deduction or an annual one off payment can be made on line.
General public can pay monthly by Direct Debit, or annually in full. Please ask for further details at Reception.

Student memberships expire on 30 September.

Staff and public memberships run for 12 months from the date of joining so represent good value all year round.