health and fitneSS


Dunston leisure Centre keys handed over


peTe hayman


Building work on a multi-million pound overhaul of Gateshead’s Dunston Leisure Centre has been completed aſter the keys were handed over to the local authority. Willmott Dixon has delivered the S&P


Architects-designed scheme, which has transformed the 1960s swimming pool into a multi-use leisure complex. Te construction phase has taken a year and contractors – along with Gateshead Council – will now carry out finishing touches ahead of its 11 April reopening.


Sandown centre set for revamp peTe hayman


Plans for the refurbishment of Heights Leisure Centre in Sandown, Isle of Wight, have been given the green light by local councillors. Isle of Wight Council


(IWC) said its decision to approve the project was a ‘business-driven’ one designed to enhance leisure provision and reduce running costs. A new Tone Zone will be


constructed to the rear of the building; two squash courts are set to be converted into activity space; and the remain- der of the centre will be overhauled. Plans also include making the swimming


A new Tone Zone is to be created to the rear of Heights Leisure Centre


pool shallower to allow for more classes – such as water aerobics – to take place. IWC cabinet member responsible for lei-


sure George Brown said: “Although we are in a time where significant savings need to be


Te club offers monthly memberships for £14.99


Fit4less launches eighth club in milton keynes


Tom walker


Budget club operator Fit4less – the no-frills brand of énergie Group – has opened its eighth site in Milton Keynes. The 15,000sq ft (1,400sq m) prop-


erty is run by franchisee Tom Burke and offers memberships from £14.99 a month. Facilities include a large fitness suite with Life Fitness equipment and a studio area. Jan Spaticchia, the énergie chief execu-


tive, said: “Tis is a very exciting concept that we believe will do well in this current economic climate.”


Shadow wellbeing board proposed for wakefield


Tom walker


Wakefield Council has announced pro- posals to establish a shadow health and wellbeing board for the district. Te shadow group will be tasked with


developing the role of the health and well- being board, and to meet new legislation on the future of health and social care. From 2013, all councils must have a


health and wellbeing board which will see partners come together to deliver joined up health and social care outcomes to improve the wellbeing of the local population.


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made across the local authority, it is important we continue to invest in our leisure facilities which the public rely on. “Our current facilities are becoming tired


and if we do not invest in them now, then they would need significant investment in future which we may not be able to afford.”


Sector scores ‘worryingly low’ in survey Tom walker


Health and fitness operators have “much work to do” if they want to improve con- sumers’ perception of them, according to the first ever national Net Promoter Score (NPS) study conducted by Leisure-Net Solutions with Te Retention People. Leisure-Net carried out a


member service survey using the NPS method to measure satisfaction and loyalty lev- els of members. Te method included asking health club members just one question – “How likely is it that you would recommend our company to a friend or colleague?”. Te results reveal that the industry’s overall


score was just 21 per cent. Tere were also sig- nificant differences between sectors, with local


Only a fiſth of members said they would recommend their health clubs


authority sites scoring highest at 27 per cent, followed by the Trusts at just 12 per cent. However, the most worrying statistic is that


private multi-site health and fitness chains recorded a dire -16 per cent.


Chelmsford leisure centre revamp complete peTe hayman


Chelmsford Borough Council has completed work on a £3.5m programme of improvements at the Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre. A renovation of the main entrance and the reception areas comprised the final phase of


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


the scheme, which commenced in 2009 to upgrade the venue’s facilities. Improvements at the Riverside Ice and


Leisure Centre have already included an expansion of the gym and exercise studio and an overhaul of the swimming pool area.


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2011


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