Customers were ready to take the plunge on Saturday (28 October) as the swimming pools at Yate Active Lifestyle Centre reopened following a seven-month, £1.4 million major refurbishment.
An official opening took place with partners, staff and contractors involved in the project gathering to watch Chair of South Gloucestershire Council Cllr Ian Blair cut the ribbon.
There will be a free open day on Saturday 4 November, where the public are invited to look around the Centre and try out the refurbished facilities.
Funded by South Gloucestershire Council, the project saw the pool closed for essential maintenance and refurbishment, which included replacing the pool’s pipework and installing environmentally friendly new equipment. This was done to secure the sustainability of the swimming pools for future generations.
When the swimming pools were taken out of action back in April, a temporary swimming pool was installed to the rear of the Kennedy Way Car Park. This solution ensured that there was no loss of service.
The temporary facility, which is believed to have been one of the biggest of its kind, came complete with a ‘Hawaiian theme’ décor and proved popular with customers throughout the summer season. With the refurbishment now complete, the temporary pool will start to be dismantled over the coming weeks.
Mark Crutchley, Chief Executive of Circadian Trust, which manages and operates the centre on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council said: “This has been a major project that has taken us only seven months to complete. We’re committed to offering the best facilities to our customers and this work will ensure that we continue to do so. When people come to use the pool, I think that they’ll realise that it was well worth the wait.
“As a not for profit organisation, we can continue to reinvest money back into Active Lifestyle Centres across South Gloucestershire, which means responding to demand and offering our customers a top-class lifestyle experience.”
Cllr Ian Blair, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “I am delighted to open these wonderfully refurbished pool facilities, which are a huge asset for Yate and the surrounding area. The £1.4 million investment by the council will mean that generations of swimmers will now be able to enjoy this pool for years to come.”
Whilst the pools at Yate have now reopened, a large-scale project is still underway at Longwell Green Active Lifestyle Centre, where South Gloucestershire Council and the Circadian Trust are currently delivering a £1.5 million redevelopment. This will bring with it a new fitness studio, an overhauled gym and a new lobby. Work is currently expected to be completed later this year.
To find out more about the Yate Active Lifestyle Centre, please visit www.activecentres.org/centres/yate/
