Leisure at Cheltenham gym refurbishment begins 23 March

This is the next stage in the £2.5million partnership project between Cheltenham Borough Council and The Cheltenham Trust, which also sees refurbished changing facilities and reception area, and a new splash pad for the leisure centre.

In the gym, the cardio equipment is being updated with latest Precor range as well as new inclusive fitness equipment allowing the centre to better cater for its disabled users. Other benefits include new flooring and new air conditioning which are also both being replaced.

A temporary gym will be available whilst the work is being carried out.

From Monday 23 April the gym will be unavailable for five days whilst the equipment is moved and reinstalled; however visitors and members will be able to attend exercise classes, swim, and use the running track and health spa.

Stephen Petherick, head of commercial and customer services at The Cheltenham Trust, says: “We’re excited to see the project progressing well and look forward to the new equipment and facilities coming along in the very near future.

“We’re doing our very best to minimise disruption to our normal service throughout the project and apologise for any inconvenience. However we believe that customers will be impressed and enjoy the exciting new offer that we’re building.”

Cllr Flo Clucas, cabinet member for healthy lifestyles at Cheltenham Borough Council, continues: “The next few weeks will be weeks of excitement as we wait to see what Leisure at Cheltenham is going to be like and how much more enjoyment it’ll give to families, children and all those who enjoy using its facilities. The wait will be worthwhile and I look forward immensely to its re-opening.”

More detailed information on the leisure centre’s development work can be seen on their new microsite www.cheltenhamleisuredevelopment.co.uk; website www.leisureatcheltenham.com and Facebook page www.facebook.com/leisureat. Customers are asked to email [email protected] with any questions.

Notes: The vast majority of services will run as normal while the redevelopment is underway and customers will be kept up to date with regular newsletters and information displayed within the building and on the website.

Funding from Swim Local comes in response to an almost 40 per cent increase in membership using the health and fitness facilities, as well as making sure the centre caters for customers with disabilities. Gloucestershire County Council match funded the Swim Local grant.

More information about funding for the project can be found in the cabinet report on the council’s website (www.cheltenham.gov.uk).

The Cheltenham Trust is an independent registered charity responsible for the town’s £300m iconic cultural and leisure sites which also include the Prince of Wales Stadium, Cheltenham Town Hall, Pittville Pump Rooms and The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum. It took over the running of these facilities from Cheltenham Borough Council in 2014.

The redevelopment is part of The Trust’s broader vision to develop the diversity of experiences within the town that encourage public participation in diverse experiences that touch and inspire people be it through sport, culture, play, competition, heritage, learning, health and wellbeing.

Attracting over 570,000 visits per year, Leisure at Cheltenham welcomes a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds. As well as local customers, competition events attract audiences from the UK and internationally. Through this project The Cheltenham Trust is seeking to grow new audiences by some five per cent and to increase the dwell time of existing audiences in order to improve health and wellbeing, offering great experiences for all the family whatever their age.