Left: An 80-station gym has been created in the space formerly occupied by the spectator area Above and right: As the nearest fun pool is 40 minutes away, the public rallied to keep a pool at The Pyramids


PYRAMIDS


great opportunity for remodelling the centre. Six months on, the site has been redesigned and excess space successfully converted into a fi tness suite, health spa, soft play area and new café.


local support Having put together a redevelopment


tender, taking into consideration local requirements, SCL approached Portsmouth City Council. It acquired preferred bidder status and – in partnership with Alliance Leisure, which funded and project-managed the work, and leisure development fi rm Createability – compiled a £2.2m refurbishment package. The council had 10 bids to consider,


including one from the occupier at the time, but awarded the project to SCL. Work started in May 2010. The Pyramids clearly means a lot to the local community and, prior


to the redevelopment, a ‘Friends of the Pyramids’ group was created to campaign to retain the facilities as a fun swimming pool and entertainment venue – the nearest fun pool is a 40- minute car journey away. Resulting in a 20,000-name petition, the community played an integral part in saving what they consider to be Portsmouth’s ‘jewel in the crown’. The site was closed throughout the


refurbishment, but the pool opened during key holiday periods. Ian Cotgrave, managing director of Createability, comments: “The pool was the fi rst area we concentrated on so it could be opened in the holidays – even during the refurbishment – to generate income.” Milne adds: “When the pool opened


for a few weeks in the summer and during October half-term, we had 1,000 visitors a day with absolutely no marketing other than the website


The location and demographics of the site were ideal and presented a phenomenal opportunity for redevelopment


january 2010 © cybertrek 2010


Julie Fisher takes a look at the recent £2.2m transformation of The Pyramids in Portsmouth


and a voucher offer. This sort of local support will continue to be crucial to the success of the venue.”


maximising space The Pyramids has now been renovated


and modernised. The pool has been redecorated and the flumes refurbished, but the main difference is that the redundant spaces have now been utilised to their full potential. Cotgrave explains: “The fl ow and feel


of The Pyramids has changed beyond recognition. The new facilities have been designed to capitalise on the vast amount of under-used space that was available. And to achieve maximum impact, the design was not constrained by the old structure. We analysed the requirements and designed the space accordingly, even transforming the old spectator terrace that overlooked the pool into a stunning fi tness suite.” Located on the upper mezzanine fl oor,


the 448sq m (4,822sq ft), 80-station fi tness suite therefore overlooks the pool area. Fully air-conditioned, the self-contained area features a circuit of 20 Hoist Roc-It resistance machines,


Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 49


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