A partnership project to improve the public health and wellbeing facilities at Stokewood Leisure Centre, Bournemouth has now completed.
BH Live and Bournemouth Council have together undertaken a sustainable plan to significantly improve the overall customer experience and encourage more local people to get more active.
A brand new floor has been built, more than doubling the size of the gym, creating more space to accommodate new Life Fitness gym equipment. BH Live has also introduced a new QUAD functional fitness zone for instructors to deliver power, primal, play and pulse gym-based classes.
The new facilities enable BH Live to offer a broader range of activities to encourage inactive people – especially those living with health conditions and young people – to get more active.
Customers can get a health MOT in the centre’s new health assessment zone. Blood pressure checks, body fat measurements and weight reviews will help customers to create their personal goals, build a personalised activity programme and track progress.
Since opening earlier this month hundreds of customers have already visited and feedback has been very positive. New customers of all ages and abilities are also coming through the doors to see what’s available to improve their health and wellbeing.
“The improved space and new facilities at Stokewood are fantastic and it’s very encouraging to see so many people already using them, says Peter Gunn, BH Live’s Chief Executive.
“In partnership with the Council, we are continuing to increase the quality of public facilities and meet the expectations and needs of our community; encouraging more people to be more active and enjoy the social, health and wellbeing benefits.”
The new space has environmentally friendly (LED) lighting, insulation and climate control.
Natural daylight and an outdoor seating area boosts ambience. Original features, including a stained glass window and grand central staircase, have been retained.
Councillor John Beesley, Leader of Bournemouth Council, said: “Council investment in this popular centre aligns with our commitment to provide facilities for an active community. I am also delighted that improvements have been implemented with environmental considerations.”
BH Live is offering a free five-day guest pass to local residents to try out the new facilities, swimming pool and classes. They can take a tour of the centre and pick up their guest pass on weekdays from 6am-10pm, Saturdays from 8am-7pm and Sundays from 8am-8pm (times vary over bank holiday weekends).
Alternatively they can register for a guest pass online and find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk.
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Notes to Editors:
Photo caption:
(Left to right)
Home page thumb – Stokewood Leisure Centre user Katie Wallbanks with, (Left to right) John Davies, centre manager, Mike Lyons, director of sport and leisure at BH Live, Cllr Pat Oakley, cabinet member for tourism and Winton East councillor, and Cllr John Beesley, leader of Bournemouth Council.
Main image – (Left to right) John Davies, centre manager, Cllr John Beesley, leader of Bournemouth Council, Mike Lyons, director of sport and leisure at BH Live and Cllr Pat Oakley, cabinet member for tourism and Winton East councillor with delighted guests.
Project facts
- The project was budgeted to cost an estimated £1million to be shared between Bournemouth Borough Council and the venue operator BH Live. It completed on time and on budget.
- Building works were carried out by Portsmouth based Lifetime Construction
- RUND managed the project on behalf of the council
- The design was created by Footprint Architects
- Worldwise carried out the M&E consultancy
- Structural engineers were BE Willis
- Life Fitness supplied the gym equipment
- The centre remained open throughout the project.
- The gym now has more than 100 fitness stations
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 more than three million visits a year and over £36.5 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2015/16 BH Live hosted more than 500 events, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets. 2.6 million visits were made to its leisure centres and 118,000 conference and exhibition delegates to its venues. This contributed an estimated £66.3 million to the local economy through business and cultural tourism.
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About Stokewood
Stokewood is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council.
This community leisure facility, in the Winton/Charminster area of Bournemouth, started out as a public baths in 1930.
It has a 22.8-metre swimming pool, sauna, an aerobics studio running more than 70 weekly fitness classes, a spin studio and gym with personal training. The centre is home to local sports clubs for triathlon, water polo, lifeguard training, karate and other activities. Popular for pool parties, swimming lessons with Bournemouth Swimming Academy and local schools, the centre attracts over 5,000 visits a week.
Stokewood is Quest-accredited (rated Excellent) and enjoys good relationships with local community groups, Bournemouth University, colleges and local schools to get people of all ages and abilities active.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk
Get social with us on Facebook and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK @bhliveactive