People are invited to find out more about an £8 million overhaul of Bath Sports and Leisure Centre which will see it transformed into a modern and dynamic centre aimed at motivating more people to get more active more often.
Bath & North East Somerset Council, working in partnership with charitable social enterprise GLL, which operates the Council’s leisure centres under the Better brand, is holding an open event at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre tomorrow – Wednesday 23 March (2pm-8pm) – where people can learn more about the refurbishment plans. The purpose of the engagement afternoon is to give users the opportunity to find out more about the proposals
Cllr Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North), Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “The aim of the refurbishment is to ensure we have great facilities that encourage a lot more people to get active, particularly those who don’t currently use the leisure centre. It will be a place for the local community to be proud of and, with something for everyone, it will be a fantastic environment for getting fitter and healthier whilst having fun.
“We are very keen to get more people involved in sport and physical activity – especially families, young people, older people and those who are overweight. To do that, our facilities need to be modern and welcoming and able to engage the greatest number of people. We particularly want to encourage people who don’t currently do any physical activity at all to take it up regularly, helping to reduce the health inequalities that exist within the district. Whilst other councils are having to close their leisure centres, our plans will give Bath Sports and Leisure Centre a sustainable future to ensure residents can continue to benefit from public leisure services for years to come.”
The extensive programme of repairs, upgrades and new additions is set to create a building and facilities that will be a pleasure to use and a real asset to the community long into the future.
The current proposals include:
A new teaching and leisure pool
Transformation of the beach area of the fun pool into an interactive water-play area for children of all ages and abilities
New and improved changing spaces
An enhanced fitness suite
New double-storey soft play attraction
New studio space and party rooms
A trampoline park – wall-to-wall trampolines that are all connected together and have sides made up of angled trampolines to create one huge park where you can literally bounce off the walls
8-lane ten-pin bowling
A remodelled reception space to create a more open-plan feel with better views of the pool
Creation of a new spa experience with treatment rooms and a relaxation area.
To make sure that local people can reap all the benefits of physical activity – including making a positive difference to their physical and mental health and their overall wellbeing, Bath & North East Somerset Council, along with GLL, are investing £17 million in improving local leisure centres and creating new leisure facilities. The investment has already seen a revamp of Culverhay Sports Centre, which now has a new dance studio, functional training spaces and new equipment.
The next phase is the upcoming refurbishment of Bath Sports and Leisure Centre, and improved leisure centre facilities are planned for Keynsham, to include a sports hall, swimming pool, fitness suite and studio space. Public engagement for Keynsham is planned in the coming months.
The refurbishment of Bath Sports and Leisure Centre starts in May, with all the work carried out in phases so that it can remain open. If any facilities are temporarily out of action during the work, the Centre will do all it can to provide them at an alternative venue.
The plans involve the removal of squash courts from Bath Sports and Leisure Centre. The level of provision of squash courts in other locations will still be in line with the national average and the Council and GLL are liaising with local squash clubs to discuss options such as subsidised memberships for the period of transition along with new opportunities for “pay and play” sessions. Suggestions include local clubs supporting the transition process by offering reduced price memberships, which has been favourably received.
Fit for life
The investment in leisure centres in Bath, Keynsham and Culverhay will help support delivery of the Council’s ambitious Fit for Life strategy, which is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in the area, now and into the future.
Its aim is to motivate more people to get more active more often – especially families, young people, older people and those who are overweight – and find ways to make physical activity more central to people’s lives.
The strategy also puts the spotlight on the contribution that sport and physical activity can make to Bath and North East Somerset’s economy, how they can help boost local communities by bringing people together and reducing social isolation, and the role they play in creating a sustainable environment.
To find out more about your local leisure centre go to www.better.org.uk or call:
Bath Sports and Leisure Centre 01225 486905
Keynsham Leisure Centre 01225 439680
Culverhay Sports Centre 01225 480882
Chew Valley Sports Centre 01275 333375
For more information about Midsomer Norton and Writhlington Leisure Centres call:
Writhlington Sports Centre 01761 438559
Midsomer Norton Sports Centre 01761 252631
