It’s been a year since BH Live opened the doors to its new active and event venue in Corfe Mullen, Poole.
The former Virgin Active site, which had been closed for two years, has since been transformed by BH Live into a vibrant community hub with range of activity and event opportunities for all.
More than 85,000 visits have been made by 4,000 local people who are now regularly using its facilities which include a gym, swimming pool, more than 110 weekly fitness classes, tennis, café and soft play for young children.
More than a thousand hours of swimming lessons have been delivered as part of the trust’s learn-to-swim programme and its 813 club is encouraging young people to be more active at classes including Hip Hop for Kids and Story Aerobics.
MyZone wearable technology, personal training and fitness on demand classes are proving popular with customers and provide activity variety and added value.
People who are living with long term health conditions or recovering from illness or injury are also accessing its facilities through BH Live’s exercise referral programme. This is enabling them to enjoy the many health and wellbeing benefits associated with being more active.
“Working closely with local schools, GP surgeries and health professionals to encourage people to try out the facilities is proving to be really successful in getting the local community active, says Robbie Smith, Centre Manager.
“We have been working with Lockyer’s Middle School to create personalised activity sessions using our MyZone technology which the pupils are really excited about. Linking in with health professionals in Corfe Mullen, Wimborne and Poole is reaping rewards too with physical activity being prescribed to improve patient health and wellbeing.”
Activities are available on either a membership or pay as you go basis with concessions available for health schemes and people on low income.
Earlier this year, BH Live scooped an ‘Impact of New Facility’ award for the venue from Sporta, the membership organisation which represents sport, leisure and culture trusts across the UK and Ireland.
It has also reached the finals in this year’s National Fitness Awards for best newcomer. This is in recognition of its social impact and contribution to promoting physical activity, health and wellbeing in the community.
“What a fantastic year, says Mike Lyons, BH Live’s Director for Sport and Leisure.
“When we acquired the venue, we had three aims; to become an integral part of the local community; get more people of all ages and abilities more active and provide a welcoming space for people to come together and socialise whether that’s at an event or over a coffee. Following a major investment, improved facilities and a new team the venue is looking great. There is still much to do, and more people to reach, but with the support of our team, community partners and of course our customers, we are very encouraged these aims, and more, are being met.”
To celebrate the venue’s one year anniversary, BH Live is encouraging people to get a free five day guest pass from bhliveactive.org.uk to try out its facilities. New group exercise classes that will be running include Candlelight Yoga, Combat Anthems and Bedtime Balance. There is also a birthday party on Saturday 18 November from 7.30pm-11.30pm with tickets available from the venue.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Photo-caption:
The team at BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen
About BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen
BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen is located in East Dorset. It is a vibrant community hub with a pool, gym, group exercise studios, a Terrace Café with soft play and tennis courts.
It also runs a learn-to-swim programme for adults and children, together with an 813 Club and Kids’ Zone, to enable families to take part in physical activity together.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk
Get social with us on Facebook and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK @bhliveactive
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Elizabeth Symmons, PR & Corporate Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
T: (01202) 055562
About BH Live
BH Live is the south coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
With 3.4 million visits a year and over £39 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2016/17 BH Live hosted more than 500 events, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets. They had 2.9 million activity attendances in its leisure centres and welcomed 100,000 conference and exhibition delegates into its venues. This contributed an estimated £44 million to the local economy through business and cultural tourism. For more visit bhlive.org.uk
Get social with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK