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<_':T .': ~',~':y.;: T A D V E Ft T I S 1 N G F E A T t-U R E


^ O E F IE L D I leisure


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THE battle for" Roefield Barn began a.quarter of a century ago.


Ribble Valley Sports Council began campaigning for its use


as a recreational centre In 1973. The debate over funding the necessary structural repairs, alterations and conversion raged for several years. It was suggested that the facility could be used to provide an Indoor area for table tennis, keep fit and morris


dancing. Around the same time, the late Coun. Bob Ainsworth,


then Mayor of Clitheroe. called a public meeting to discuss


a town community centre. It was his wish that the facility should "not be dominated


by older folk." , He stated: "We would particularly like to hear the views of teenagers. After all, in the long run It is they who would benefit from a community centre." That was 1977. Once again, apathy reared its head and, following a disappointing response, the initial plan was shelved, but numerous councillors suggested that Roefield Bam could become a multi-purpose facility.


• In 1979 the North West Sports Council turned down an application from Ribble Valley Borough Council for a a , 000 grant towards improving the barn. The council suggested it might offer a grant towards a "major” scheme.


• In 1980 the partially renovated bam was offered on a 14-year lease to the local sports and recreational council. • In 1981 the barn opened as a sports and leisure centre.


. In 1982 the facility was officially opened by Lord Pillangton, chairman of the North West Council for Sport and Recreation. The same year, the borough council was asked to underwrite a sports hall adjoining the barn, to the tune of not more than £150,000 A no-frills scheme was prepared by the local sports council costing £220,000, the local share being £55,000 - fund-raising ideas were requested and the debate conunued


| to rage.


• In 1983 the sports council announced it was seeking charitable status as a trust and fund-raising began in earnest Sports'facilities continued to be put under the microscope, as feelings ran high as to whether a new sports centre should be ' iiliiltafRoefie'ld, at Ribblesdafe High School or, indeed, at all.


• 1997 and an artist's Impression of the new scheme.was unveiled as sports supporters stepped up pressure on the local authority for a site at Roefield. "Stop paying lip service and produce some positive action," declared battling campaigner the late Mrs Doreen Euinton. A logo competition was held in the Advertiser and Times, the winner being Peter Rigby, ofYork Street, Clltheroe.


• 1988 and the dedicated band of fund-raisers were continuing to work hard. Committee chairman Mrs Euinton


said it was anticipated that £10,000 was in sight "We have proved the critics wrong." she declared. The borough council agreed a grant of £50,000. Another artist’s impression was unveiled As the year ended, there was a plea to make 1989


the year of Roefield.


• 1989 and funding was at a critical stage as appeal chairman Mr Richard Greenwood announced that time was running out The Ribble Valley began to stir. Cash started to roll in, a "buy a brick" campaign took off. and by November it was announced:


"We're going to make itl" 1990 and the last push £250.000 had gone into the


coffers from the borough council. A massive £150.000 had been raised through public appeal and grants and a £94,000 shortfall was felt not to be too big a problem. In July, a 99-year lease was signed at a peppercorn rent and construction began.


• 1991 and the centre opened. The estimated cost of building and equipping the facility had, however, risen to £100,000. Local businesses added their financial support and there was more good news in the form o f cash from the town council.


1993 and there was a "use it or lose it" message from Air


Ron Pickup, then chairman of the committee as finance continued to plague the centre.


. 1994 and despite public support, the centre was still experiencing financial problems. Talks began with local public bodies, and the outcome was the Roefield Leisure Centre Trust


Sadly, this was the year in which Roefield campaigner Mrs Euinton died, but the Rotary movement's highest award, the Paul Harris Fellowship, presented posthumously In memory of "an indefatigable fighter" takes pride of place


In the complex.


• 1998 and membership has soared.The. facility is one of the country's most advanced, and is well on the way to becoming a centre of sporting excellence.


WHATEVER your age or your fitness needs, Roefield Leisure Centre has the


facilities for you. From Turbo Tots to the Over 50s sessions, there is


definitely something for everyone.. A registered charity, Roefield Leisure Centre opened in 1992 after 12 years of local fund-raising. When centre manager MrTony Rodia took over four years ago, 20,000 visits a year were being made and this has now increased to 120,000, with 3,500 gym inductions undertaken in the


last three years. Mr Rodia puts the success of the centre down to the


generous people of the Ribble Valley, who have given sup­ port and donations. Funding for the centre is also received from Ribble Valley Borough Council and Clitheroe Town Council, as well as through sponsorship


and grant aid. Situated in Edisford Road, next to Ribblesdale Pool, the


centre offers a wide range of activities. The vast sports hall is used for many sports activities, including bad­ minton, five-a-side football, gymnastics, basketball and short tennis. It is the venue for the centre's highly-suc- cessful children's play scheme, which combines health and fitness with arts and crafts. Catering for 50 children each day, the centre provides a safe, healthy environment for youngsters and leaves parents in no doubt that their children are having the time of their lives.


"


The hall is also available to hire for sports coaching and children s parties and is even used by local schools as a venue for PE lessons. Situated next to the sports hall is the fitness suite, opened three years ago, . which offers everything to help you keep fit, look good and have fun. The latest computerised cardio vascular and fitness equipment gives a versatile range of exercises to suit men and women of all ages, sizes and fitness


levels. Whether you want to tone your


muscles, control your weight or sim- > ply achieve your fitness levels, Roefield ■


Leisure Centre offers an


environment where a personalised exercise programme can be enjoyed to the full under the watching eye of fully trained staff. Features such as satellite TV and air conditioning will help to create a pleasant and stimu­ lating environment in which to work


out. Getting fit or losing weight need not be stressful. It should, and can.be very enjoyable. At Roefield, the staff run regular programmes and activities, such as the 1500 Minute Club, the Paris Race and the current favourite, the Tour de France. Anyone wanting to use the fitness suite can pay per session, or in 10 ses­ sion blocks, but for those who wish to use the facilities frequently there are annual subscription facilities. Other facilities on offer include, a


■ creche, aerobics and martial arts, ses­ sions, a sauna room and specialised climbing walls, offering facilities unique to Roefield within a .10-mile radius. Aromatherapy classes and sports injury classes are also on offer. Parking is available on the council - owned car park opposite, and anyone having to park on the council-owned car park opposite the centre will receive a refund of up to 50p, which usually covers three hours.


FUTURE


FITNESS for the future is on its way to Roefield Leisure Centre in the form of an unrivalled cardiovascular


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’.-.::--.'.;.>;',.r -v T:’-'A:’-'^-'-VT Clltheroe Advertiser &Tlmes,August 6th, 1997 11


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I theatre and resistance room, making it : |B E F O R E jo j i .decide to take up exercise v.s.t the centre for the Millennium.


i k e f i e ld Leisure Centre's brand new state-of-the-


I An overwhelming demand for the cen- 11 a r t Lifestyle’Fitness Suite. Itre's gym facilities has proved that the JjCd^idfefK^eiJ optionsK^available to, you - then original facilities are too small, so work ’• | |^ |^ ^ ^ e ^ i id A ;^ e r ^ f^ l i t i e s .Y o u .w i l l not has begun on converting an adjoining


dis^ p c iin ted l' ' “


barn into a fitness suite to take Roefield jjHo^'tV^ljthisfpossible?ySimpIev;. into the next century.


' - • |* RqefieldjLeisiire C en t re is,a non-profit making


I Building work on the grade II listed barn t fe^ s tb u ilt*b y .the community for th e comm un ity .1 is expected to be completed shortly, at a •


co « of £200,000. ooraformlns » from . i


into a unique fitness suite, boasting the I ,--P y M „ .


best fixtures and fittings in the area. While original rimb.m and ..onework are being uncovered, air conditioning and • |


. . „arid « , | | a ™ .


Iu%i 00%-'monev7 back guarantee if you are not ~ ' >' >


v* - ^ 5


a bank ofTVs are being installed along- ! j r No joiningTeeV ) , ’t side equipment, which will give Roefield . 'd ^ b ^ ^ ^ f^ R e r^ ^ ^ o n j - . r a O ie r . than


Leisure Centre the most up-to-date fit- I J;?comrnittinig yourself to a full year, ness suite in East Lancashire.


I ^Members^will not see a rise in their


Complete with mirrors, drapes and soft j I ^ ^ iy /m o n th ly subscription for five years, lighting, the new room has been designed J i f ^ g ^ a is c o d A t s^ ^ o u p le s memberships, with a Greco-Roman feel.


j C OM P E T IT IO N L IN E


Competition Lfre.fhe Swedish oompay is;rtoA nut the centre s original tit-


which kitted o ’ fit­


ness suite, will again provide the resis­ tance equipment, whilst all


the cardio­


vascular machines are. from Lifefitness. . The Lifestyle Fitness Suite will boast 44 stations and include:


8 Life Treadmills


4 Life Upride Bikes 4 Recumbent Bikes 2 Life Cross Trainers


■


2 Concept II Rowers 2 Life Steppers


- Lat M/C • Lat Pull Down Bar • Rowing M/C • Leg Extension RLS • Leg Curl seated RLS ( • Leg Press • Bicep M/C • Shoulder Press • Chest Press • Pec Deck


• Reversed Pec Deck • Cro s so ver • Chinning/Dipping • Rotary Torso • Hip Abductor • Adjustable Bench • Dumbell Rack with Chrome Dumbells.


• gki/n^ badminton and centre-based


I - a e ro b i« session^With ail yearly memberships: to


'Tre^ prize'drawto win .two .tickets to see / : •:


/ I •


rStorligrtt Express" in London's West End to all »a fhri npw Fitness Studio.


customerrs v.isiting t e new Fitn T Studio. INDUCTION


< Programme and Induction - £ 18.00) . GP Programme and lnduction - £9J_.


PAY ON THE DAY


• Single Session - £3.50 •Weekends - £2.50 . •TEN Sessions - £30.00 • GPTEN Sessions - £20.00


SUBSCRIPTION a n n u a l


(Includes Sauna and Off Peak BadmlntonShortTennl*)^ • I Year Single - £220.00 Off Peak *^


7.


• I Year Couple - £360.00 Off, Peakj||j Payable by Monthly Standing O rd e | |^ • Single - £21.00 Off Peak - £ J6 r0 0 j| • Couple - £34.00 Off Peak • £37*0^


OPENING HOURS ■


Monday - Friday 7.00am .- lO.OOpm^


• Saturday 9.00am J '5.30pm • Sunday 9.00am - 9.00pm Off Peak Yearly Subscription Hou rsi§!


• Monday - Friday. 7.00am -..4-30pm. JJJ • Weekends - all day


( 11 r t t '£5 i * . ■ / . \ ^ * “ l


ill


The ultimate f itn e s s experience is here At our brand new


ON INDUCTION COURSES.


FITNESS SUITE , Call at Reception for, details ^ y ''EdisfordRoadl'Oiiheroe'Telephone" V ‘\ 1 „&l S t ;, 1 4 -^ ^


I if


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