Bracknell Leisure Centre refurbishment nears completion

Everyone Active began revamping the site once it took over the running of the leisure centre, Coral Reef and Downshire Golf Complex from Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) in March 2018.

Since then, the centre’s gym has been given a state-of-the-art makeover, a second studio has been introduced and new changing rooms have been added.

Disruption to the site has caused some concern for regular users, but with the main refurbishment and soft refurbishment of the pool area expected to be completed by Christmas, leisure centre bosses are thrilled with the impact the revamped site is making.

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Chrissy Newman, fitness manager and sports development at BLC, told the News: “The future is looking very bright.

“If you’re a member you can see the positive change – it is so different.

“When this work is complete it really will change Bracknell.”

Efforts are being made to make BLC “very inclusive”, with Chrissy heading up a string of programmes to support youngsters in the borough.

Everyone Active has teamed up with Get Berkshire Active for one of its programmes, aiming to get non-active teenagers involved at the leisure centre to help them take up healthy lifestyles.

Those who do not typically have access to leisure sites and who are at risk of becoming obese or self-harming will be invited to use BLC for 12 weeks to understand more about nutrition and healthy lifestyles, before gaining full membership to continue everything they have learned.

Coach Core, a scheme created by the Royal Foundation, is another programme Everyone Active is a part of.

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The initiative sees 20 school leavers train to become sports coaches, with two of these young people learning the ropes at Bracknell Leisure Centre.

Everyone Active will train the youngsters for 18 months, helping them to gain full qualifications as sports coaches.

Alongside these larger schemes, a series of small changes are also enabling Bracknell Leisure Centre to provide more opportunities for the community.

In the new gym, equipment and machinery designed for those with visual impairments and mobility issues means anyone is welcome to work out.

A bigger space outside the studios has created a more “social area” for those who partake in classes, and Everyone Active’s mobile app helps members to explore the wide range of classes available to them.

The sports hall plays host to parties from all corners of the community, with disabilities groups and prayer groups regularly using the space, as well as boxing and gymnastics events being held at the venue.

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A ‘guinea pig show’ – also known as a ‘small livestock fair’ – has also been held at the hall recently.

Mark Tennant, contract manager at BLC, said: “It is a very versatile space and it is about having something for everyone.

“It is all about building relationships with everybody in the community.”

Mr Tennant added this was a “really exciting time” for the leisure centre as it is expected to achieve one million visits in the 2019-2020 year, having already seen membership of BLC’s gym double.

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This comes after a tricky start to Everyone Active’s tenure at the leisure centre, with some regular users concerned about cleanliness issues and pool availability over the past 18 months.

Ms Newman added: “I can appreciate there was negativity when the work started but now it is incredible.”

“It is a project and it does take time.

“I think Bracknell is very lucky as a community as we are able to cater for everyone.

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“It is more than just a leisure centre.”