Parts of Plymouth Life Centre will be opening again in April in line with the national reopening of the leisure sector.
The gym and new changing rooms will be available from April 12, with the 50 metre pool and leisure pool opening at the end of April. Other facilities and activities will also begin to reopen in accordance with the Government’s roadmap to easing lockdown restrictions.
Contractors Balfour Beatty, Arcadis and operators Everyone Active are working flat out to finish the work programme which started last August and the finishing line is in sight.
When Plymouth Life Centre reopens, the vast majority of ‘dry’ facilities will be available. Work on the diving pool is expected to be complete by early June.
The work follows more investigations and a complete re-render and re-tile of the pool walls was instigated to prevent further works being required further down the line. These additional works have affected the timescales for the dive pool reopening but significantly, swimming and other aquatic activities will available from end of April.
Other leisure facilities will be open in line with Government announcements of the sector, including the Brickfields Athletics Track and All Weather Pitch from March 29 and indoor facilities at Brickfields and Plympton Swimming Pool from April 12.
The council has also given the go-ahead for the Tinside Lido and Mount Wise Swimming Pools to open on May 1, a month earlier than usual.
On reopening, Plymouth Life Centre will reflect the latest standards in the ever-evolving fitness sector with increased COVID-19 safety, new carbon reduction measures and an overall improved customer experience.
The key enhancement elements remain on track and are progressing well ahead of the reopening, these include:
- Refitting male and female gym change areas with new lockers, cubicles, LED lighting and fixtures and fittings
- A new fitness studio, to be used for yoga, Pilates and other group classes
- Replacing carpet and floor coverings in many areas of the building: viewing galleries, bowls hall and circulation spaces
- Upgrades to heating and ventilation systems throughout the building, which improve air quality and mitigate the risk from air borne viruses and contagions, such as COVID-19
Deputy Leader, Pete Smith said:
“The contractors onsite at Plymouth Life Centre have done an excellent job progressing works in what has been a particularly challenging period with rising coronavirus infections over the past few months.
“We are on track to reopen a significant number of activities at the Plymouth Life Centre in line with the earliest national timescales, followed shortly afterwards by the 50m and leisure pool, but we are aware this is subject to the overall control of coronavirus in England.
“We know people are keen to get back in the water as soon as possible which is why we plan to open the outdoor pools earlier to give our swimmers choice.”
Council leader, Councillor Tudor Evans and deputy leader, Councillor Pete Smith visited Plymouth Life Centre for a final tour of the works as the planned reopening gets ever-closer.
Since Plymouth Life Centre opened in 2012, it has continued to be a leading training facility for athletes who have medalled at major international events, in their respective sports. The ‘Train to Fame’ installation celebrates the achievements of those athletes who are part of the centre’s history – and we look forward to welcoming them back along with the rest of the public.
Council Leader, Tudor Evans, said:
“I am really impressed by the new facilities and improvements at Plymouth Life Centre. Contractors have worked through some of the most challenging months in memory to deliver a facility to be enjoyed for many more years to come.
“On the back of the repeated lockdowns since last August, I’m glad we seized the opportunity to undertake this works programme, allowing the work to get done, whilst reducing inconvenience to members and sports groups.
“I thank these members and sports groups for their continued support and patience during the works, in what has been a tremendous team effort.”
Deputy leader, Pete Smith said;
“The progress on-site is there to be seen, it doesn’t feel that long ago when tonnes of concrete where being removed in preparation for the improvements.
“Knowing that we are getting near reopening is really satisfying, this comes just at the right time when we are getting set to move out of lockdown over the coming months. The contractors are not letting up, and are working very hard to remain on schedule in getting this iconic regional and national venue delivered back to the people of Plymouth.”
In accordance with the Government’s roadmap to easing lockdown restrictions, the gym and new changing rooms at Plymouth Life Centre will be available from April 12, with the 50 metre pool and leisure pool opening at the end of April.
Work on the diving pool is expected to be complete by early June.
The work follows more investigations when a complete re-render and re-tile of the pool walls was instigated to prevent further works being required further down the line.
These additional works have affected the timescales for the dive pool reopening but significantly, swimming and other aquatic activities will available from the end of April.
