The new sports complex features two new swimming pools, a top-class fitness suite and sauna and steam room. Apart from that, the new facility also includes the existing features of the old sports centre including the games hall, multi-purpose rooms and squash courts which have all been renovated to the highest standard.
Equipped with electric hoists to aid disabled access, the 25 metres by 13 metres main pool will be used for general swimming sessions and competitions. The second studio pool measuring 13 metres by seven metres features an adjustable floor. The main pool has six lanes, diving blocks and turning boards along with a new timing system to accommodate competitions.
The two-metre deep studio pool can be used for other activities such as children’s swimming lessons and aqua aerobics classes, for which the floor can be adjusted accordingly. The two pools are separated by a screen to create two different environments. The main pool area has also been triple glazed with solar reflective glass to help heat retention and reduce glare.
The new facility offers sauna and steam room located off the poolside under the 120-seat viewing gallery. Both the rooms feature shower and relaxation area with fibre optic and LED mood lighting. A unisex changing village with underfloor heating is also included in the complex, which provides individual cubicles and lockers, fully equipped disabled changing rooms and vanity area.
Doubling the size of the old centre, the fitness suite upstairs features the latest equipment with personal viewing screens and MP3 player docking stations as well as a separate consulting room.
The facility includes two multipurpose rooms to accommodate classes of up to 50 people, which can also open up to create a larger single space. A further multipurpose room is being created for use as classes, crèche, meeting room or a training/teaching area.
The complex will open to the general public on 17 November 2012.
