Leisure centre getting ready for £1m facelift

The complex is to be extensively renovated as part of a 1 million project to improve leisure centre facilities. The improvement and maintenance work includes the installation of new high-performance, double glazed tinted windows, complemented by brighter ceilings and improved energy efficient lighting.The deep end of the main pool - currently 12ft deep - is to be filled-in and reduced to about half its existing height, improving safety and reducing energy costs.

Other improvements include the relocation of the existing fitness suite and weights room. A more spacious fitness suite will be created close to the main reception area, and new state-of-the art resistance and cardio-vascular equipment is to be installed.

A new aerobics studio with a wooden sprung floor is also being created close to the sports hall. This will allow more flexible programming and have the added benefit of providing greater privacy to aerobics and yoga classes.

At the same time, the leisure centre’s aging oil fired boilers are being replaced with high efficiency gas boilers.

A council spokeswoman said: “While all these various projects are in progress, there will invariably be a degree of disruption to the normal operation of the centre. We will endeavour to minimise the degree of disruption and try to keep our customers duly informed of the progress of the upgrading works.”

With the pools being closed, existing members will have the opportunity to suspend the remainder of their existing membership and be given full credit for the outstanding period, once the newly invigorated facilities re-open in January 2011.

Anyone with any queries regarding centre membership or the scheduling of works should contact staff at reception.