Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre opens its doors after months of rebuilding and more than £7 million of investment following a devastating fire. And the 11-month-old daughter of the first person in the pool when it was newly built, over 30 years ago, will be making waves in the new pool - watched by representatives from St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Abbeycroft Leisure.
Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre opens its doors again on Monday (20 February), which will delight the many thousands waiting to make use of the top quality new facilities.
Among the first in the new swimming pool will be the 11-month old granddaughter of a receptionist at the leisure centre - she's carrying on a tradition because her mother was the first in the pool when it first opened in 1975.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council has invested over £7 million in rebuilding and improving the leisure centre. As well as a new 25-metre competition sized pool, the centre will offer the most modern gym and fitness facilities in town with a full programme of classes and courses for people of all ages.
Overlooking the main pool is a 100-station fitness studio where users can choose their own TV or audio entertainment. A new health suite includes a sauna, steam room and aromatherapy room. The fitness studio, for people 16 years and over, has its own reception area and changing rooms.
In the swimming area is a new activity pool which has a flexible floor which can be raised or lowered to suit the age and ability of users or the particular activity. The pool area also has improved changing facilities with lockers. The squash courts have been updated with new floors and the dance studio extended.
The leisure centre closed in September 2004 when fire broke out during a major refurbishment of the swimming pool. The pool had closed several months earlier for a new boiler and ventilation system to be installed, but the other facilities had remained open. The only area unaffected was the adjoining athletics track and all-weather pitch.
The centre is still owned and substantially funded by St Edmundsbury Borough Council, but the management has now transferred to Abbeycroft Leisure, a charitable trust. The trust also manages Haverhill Leisure Centre.
Cllr Terry Clements, St Edmundsbury's Cabinet member responsible for the leisure centre, said:
“People have waited patiently for the re-opening and we hope they will be as excited as we are that the area has such great facilities again. The new centre represents a significant investment by St Edmundsbury Borough Council in the health and well-being of the local community and we are looking forward to welcoming back old friends and enticing new users.”
The centre will be officially opened on Saturday 18 March when there will be a variety of free activities.
ENDS
ISSUED BY MARIANNE HULLAND, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757034. marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
