The new £14million Bulmershe Leisure Centre is a step closer to reality after it was granted planning consent last night (17 July).
The centre in Woodlands Avenue in Woodley will include a six-lane 25m swimming pool and teaching pool, with movable floor for a larger number of groups of ages and abilities to use, a bigger gym, a four-court sports hall, an additional studio, a café and long term gym.
Full demolition is due to start in the next few weeks and carry on during August, timed to avoid disrupting neighbouring schools.
Accessible for all
The new centre has been designed to offer the most up-to-date, accessible for all abilities and flexible facilities that will not only encourage and empower the whole community to take part in and enjoy a range of sports and activities, but also offer preventative health services. What it will offer has been shaped by several consultation programmes involving residents, groups and schools using the old centre.
“Thank you to everyone who gave us feedback in the past two years, as well as in the planning application consultation,” said Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for environment, leisure and libraries. “Gaining planning consent is a significant step forward and we can look forward to a fantastic new centre.”
While the new centre is being built, there are alternatives for current Bulmershe users at the St Crispin’s, Loddon Valley, Arborfield, Carnival Pool leisure centres and Ryeish Green centre, which opens later in the year. It is hoped the new centre will open during the summer of 2020. It will be run by the borough council’s new provider Places for People Leisure.
