Community Centre spins it around

ONLY recently in line for a reduction in its opening hours, Dromore Community Centre is in a welcome spin, thanks to an ongoing turnaround engineered by staff and supported by local residents.

With usage and income both substantially increased, not only has the Community Centre’s fitness suite undergone a recent refurbishment, but plans are in the pipeline to capitalise on the success of newly introduced ‘spinning’ classes.

It’s estimated that during the 2011/12 financial year usage and income at Dromore Community Centre increased by 18% and 16% respectively, compared to the previous 12 months, the percentage rise in income translating to about £25,000.

As recently reported, staff have won praise for their concerted effort to introduce popular new initiatives.

Joining that chorus this week was local Olympic torchbearer Roberta Parkinson, who signed up to the centre’s new Boot Camp programme to improve her fitness and tone up ahead of the event and has so far completed three 12-week cycles.

Roberta, who brought her torch along to the fitness suite last week, said of the facility, “The staff are always on hand to tailor your exercise and fitness programme and help reach your fitness goals; you just have to book in and the staff will sort everything else out for you.

“The hours are flexible, which is great because I work and this way I can train whenever it suits me.”

Also welcoming successful staff efforts, as the council’s Leisure and Development Committee discussed the proposed purchase of 16 new spinning bikes, was Dromore Ulster Unionist Councillor Carol Black.

Given results to date, she said, she considered the purchase of 16 new spinning bikes would be money well spent.

Using bikes provided by a commercial source, the centre has already generated some £3,709 in profit with spinning classes.

With a conservatively projected annual profit of £3,923, the £11,120 worth of spinning bikes would pay for themselves in less than three years.

Meanwhile, the newly refurbished, state-of-the-art, air-conditioned fitness suite boasts cardiovascular and aerobic stations, treadmills, rowers, cross-trainers and steppers, new and improved free weights and a kettlebell area, with fully qualified instructors - Fitness Industry Association accredited - and programmes including Junior Teen Gym Fitness (11 years and over).

With one-to-one instruction booked through the Boot Camp Programme (£99 for a 12-week programme), patrons can have the benefit of their own personal trainer to motivate and monitor progress. Sign up to Boot Camp in June to get five Kettlebell classes free; all you have to do is mention you read this article to a member of staff at reception.

Standard Fitness Suite prices start at £26 a month or pay-and-play from £3.60 per session (member). Opening hours are Mon–Fri 8.30am -10pm and Sat 8.30am-5pm.