new
opening
There is a bouldering area and aerial assault course
oiling the wheels As with any build on this scale, construction of the Life Centre was not entirely plain sailing and there were some delays. However, as Greenwood explains: “Balfour Beatty kept us fully informed on progress and allowed us access before they were fi nished, which enabled us to reduce delays in installing equipment and training staff. They’ve been on-site and on-call with the building since we’ve opened, so we’ve been able to quickly iron out any issues.” To ensure the smooth running
of the centre going forward, SLM has appointed a full-time health and wellbeing manager – responsible for council priorities such as health inequalities and social inclusion – and an activities manager to oversee NGB partnerships, as well as relationships with groups and coaching organisations.
public demand Public interest in the centre has exceeded expectations, with 20,000
INFO PANEL 2: FACILITIES
Aquatics ■ 10-lane Olympic pool with moveable fl oors and booms
■ 25-metre, six-lane diving pool with movable fl oor
■ Dry dive training area ■ Family leisure pool, including two water fl umes
■ Pool area seating for up to 594 spectators
Physical activity ■ 160-station gym ■ Two multi-purpose studios
■ Wet area which includes a sauna, steam room and whirlpool
■ Dance-drama hall ■ 12-court sports hall ■ Two squash courts ■ 16-, 12- and 8-metre climbing walls, plus bouldering area and an aerial assault course
■ Eight-rink bowling venue
Hospitality ■ Conference room ■ Crèche ■ Two cafés
40 Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
Team GB divers Tonia Couch and Tom Daley train at the centre
“NOT HAVING A PARTNER SHOULDN’T STOP ANYONE FROM PLAYING BADMINTON – WE OFFER ‘NO STRINGS’ BADMINTON SESSIONS”
visitors attending during the opening weekend. There are currently 2,500 members, plus 2,500 children signed up to the swimming lesson scheme, and the centre has seen an average of 1,000 public swims every day. In addition to membership, over 30,000 people have signed up for Everyone Active cards, which allow access to the centre on a
‘pay as you go’ basis. SLM has also worked closely with
various sporting NGBs and local clubs to develop a more cohesive approach to breaking down barriers to participation. Instead of only allowing members of the public to book courts to play, regular drop-in sessions are available in a range of sports, enabling individuals of all abilities to receive guidance from
an accredited coach or co-ordinator. Access to these sessions, as well as all activities and facilities in the centre, is available to members and non-members. “Now, not having a partner to play
with shouldn’t stop anyone from playing a game of badminton,” says Emma Austin, regional offi cer for Badminton England. “As well as offering the ‘No Strings Badminton’ sessions, we’re also working with the Life Centre to run a regular Parabadminton session for players with a disability, alongside 50-plus sessions, junior coaching and competitive leagues.” “We’ve increased the number of
receptionists to deal with public enquiries and put an additional three staff in place just to answer phones. We now have 30 recreation assistants on-hand each day and an additional four cleaners on-staff,” says Greenwood.
“It’s a great position to be in, not only creating more jobs for the local area but being part of a facility that will make a real difference to activity and participation in sport in the area.” Plymouth now has a facility to rival
any other in the UK, focused on the ethos of all stakeholders: to address inactivity. Greenwood adds: “With so many people through the doors already, and activity programmes fi lling up, we’re in no doubt this success will continue.”
healthclub@leisuremedia.com dawn tuckwell
june 2012 © cybertrek 2012
PHOTO / SAM JOHNSON
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