Poorly used leisure centres in towns across Wiltshire could face closure as a review of the county’s 23 leisure centres gets under way by Wiltshire Council.

The findings will develop a strategy that will identify short and long term plans for leisure centres.

Options include exploring the potential for joint leisure facilities with the Ministry of Defence and providing leisure centres on new school sites.

A report considered by Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday also suggested that sports facilities on school sites could be used more by local people.

Asked if this would mean some leisure centres would close, council leader Jane Scott said: “I’m not saying that at the moment because I don’t know. There are issues we will have to consider such as do we bring leisure facilities in house or out source them or talk about some of the facilities being run by communities.

“We have got to be honest, we have some really good leisure facilities in the county but we have some that are not up to standard. We have to have a scheme that is going to make sure all our facilities are top quality.”

Cllr Scott said the council would identify why some centres had low useage and come up with potential solutions.

She said: “Is it because the leisure centre is in the wrong place and people don’t want to go to it? It’s no good keeping a centre that is continually having low useage. We will need to look at opportunities.”

Deputy council leader John Thomson said older leisure centres that are expensive to run could be replaced by new buildings.

Of the 23 leisure centres in the county 12 are managed by an external provider, DC Leisure, eight are managed in house and three are managed by independent community organisations with grant aid from Wiltshire Council.

Officers will put together a detailed report in the spring. In addition, the council intends to introduce a Wiltshire wide membership card so people can access any of the leisure facilities. This is likely to happen next year.

Three years ago leisure centres in north Wiltshire came under threat when the old district council found them costly to run. After a massive outcry by local people the council kept on the centres in Chippenham, Corsham, Malmesbury and Wootton Bassett. The council helped a local take-over of the centre in Cricklade but Calne closed. It was only re-opened after a consortium was set-up to run the centre.

Cllr Stuart Wheeler, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “Officers have carried out a detailed review which gives us the solid factual base required to prepare the detailed proposals for the future leisure facilities the people of Wiltshire deserve and expect. When these plans are ready we will consult widely.”