club


overhaul


four interactive Expresso bikes and 50 CV units, including remanufactured Life Fitness kit – all supplied by Physique, part of the PTE group. A second balcony, also overlooking


the pool and located at the front of the building – which previously housed a small, infrequently used play area – has been turned into a 109sq m (1,173sq ft) Soft Play World, designed and installed by House of Play, with capacity for 70 children. The area has been built within a ventilated structure to provide continuous fun, even on hot days.


spa heaven The original Splashdown Café, with a


vast seating overspill area that opened onto the poolside, has been totally demolished and converted into an elegant health spa, with its own changing facilities and reception. A fundamental element of the whole redesign, the spa area features an ice fountain, footbaths, a Helo sauna, monsoon shower, 15.6sq m (168sq ft) steam room and three treatment rooms.


STILL FUNCTIONING T 50


he function rooms play a vital role in the success of The Pyramids project. Already income-generating, they remained largely untouched during the redevelopment project other than being redecorated.


The Orangery Glass House – formerly Portsmouth’s foremost nightclub, with


its views over the Solent and the Isle of Wight – is now a sought-after wedding reception location and is once again hosting an increasing number of club nights. The Plaza hosts exhibitions and events too, but is also home to the city’s only


mid-sized music venue; it has previously hosted top artists such as Radiohead, The Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and Lily Allen. Eliza Doolittle, Pete Tong and Feeder have all confi rmed for 2011.


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


The old café area (right) was demolished to make way for the new health spa (above)


The steam room is designed with a pyramid-shaped theme, with a central pyramid from which steam gently wafts into the room. Three hexagonal-shaped booths provide seating. The addition of a salt grotto ties in


nicely with the centre’s seaside location, offering a cleansing experience as the body relaxes, absorbs and inhales the gentle crystals of salt, which as Milne points out, “is just like walking along the beach and inhaling the fresh salty air”.


the future The upmarket health club and spa now


have an offering unlike anything else in the city – a place for people to come in and relax and unwind for the day, or to pop in for a beauty treatment. Meanwhile the restructure of the


building has created very distinct offerings: pools and soft play, health club


and spa, and the function rooms – The Plaza and The Glass House (see information box below). All elements are self-contained and yet entirely symbiotic. Sarah Watts, MD of Alliance Leisure,


says: “The leisure sector is a very competitive market and commercial viability was a prerequisite to this redevelopment. Our aim was to create a multi-area facility, at the same time establishing a profi table business model which will be the key to its success. The new leisure facilities and the entertainment side of the business will generate income and bring new aspects to the building in line with local community needs.” Milne adds: “The Pyramids commands


a central location on the Southsea seafront, which plays host to major pier attractions as well as the hovercraft link to the Isle of Wight. We’re working in partnership with our attractions colleagues to target the day visitor as well as local residents. “For us, the key to success is getting


the product mix right for the location and giving visitors reasons to stay longer or to revisit the seafront. “Thanks to local support and


the efforts of ‘The Friends of The Pyramids’, the new facilities now provide the area with a family destination they can be proud of.”


healthclub@leisuremedia.com julie fi sher


january 2011 © cybertrek 2011


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