Loddon Valley Leisure Centre is set to receive £2million in investment to refurbish and enhance its current facilities to increase the choice of sport, fitness and wellbeing pursuits on site.
The investment by Wokingham Borough Council’s new leisure partner Places Leisure will see work start in phases from this autumn.
Under the plans, the existing gym will be extended to add additional fitness stations and the latest equipment, such as a lifting platform and indoor track. It will also offer TEAMBEATS™ - bookable circuit classes in the gym to help people improve fitness, lose weight and maximise their performance by working out to the beat of music tracks. People taking part in the class follow the heart rate target set by the trainer and train to the beat of the music while monitoring their performance and the timer on a large display screen.
The remodelled gym will also include extra functional space for more varied training, plus easier access to equipment, creating overall a more enjoyable environment for all gym users whatever their age and abilities. There will also be a new dedicated group cycling studio.
More holistic sessions such as Pilates, body balance and Yoga will be added to the timetable thanks to a brand new studio, as well as baby and parent classes. A new two-storey adventure play zone will be created along with its own seating area for parents.
Drop-in information sessions showing the plans for the new look centre are due to be held in the leisure centre’s conference room early next month (September).
Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for environment, leisure and libraries at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “One of our key missions is to encourage and empower people in the Wokingham Borough to try out and embrace sport and fitness. And for those already enjoying the benefits of regular exercise, give them choice to have a go at something new. But to do this successfully, you need modern and enticing leisure facilities.
“This is why we’re already embarking on a huge investment programme across the Wokingham Borough – not just at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre. Bulmershe Leisure Centre is currently being rebuilt, Ryeish Green Leisure Centre is also being refurbished and Carnival Leisure Centre is due to be redeveloped in 2020.”
“At a time when other local authorities are looking to scale back leisure provision and close centres, we’re scaling new heights with ours.”
Amy Cheale, general manager at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, said: “We’re looking forward to introducing these new exciting improvements during the coming months, and are excited to be able to offer customers an enhanced leisure service. Through this investment we aim to open up even more opportunities for people to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle, in line with our mission to create active places and healthy people.
“Information on the investment plans will be available on Loddon Valley Leisure Centre's website and we’ll continue to keep customers updated throughout the works. We’d like to thank our customers in advance for their patience while the phased works are underway and are looking forward to offering them these fantastic new facilities once they’re completed next year.”
Image shows indicative play zone at other Places Leisure sites.
