Stokewood project reaches key milestone

A partnership project to improve the public health and wellbeing facilities at Stokewood Leisure Centre in Bournemouth has reached a key milestone and is on track to complete later this year.

Stokewood is managed by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council.

BH Live is the south coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues. It is also a charitable trust and social enterprise which focuses on making a positive social impact to the health, wellbeing and economic prosperity of its communities.

Bournemouth Council and BH Live are working together to undertake a sustainable improvement plan. This will significantly improve the overall customer experience and encourage more local people to get more active.

A larger gym will create more space for new equipment and QUAD functional fitness zones. This will enable BH Live to provide a broader, and even more exciting, range of activities to encourage inactive people in the area, especially those living with health conditions and young people, to get more active.

The new space will benefit from environmentally friendly (LED) lighting, insulation and climate control. Natural daylight will improve ambience. Original features to be retained include a stained glass window and grand central staircase.

John Beesley, Leader of Bournemouth Council, said: “We are delighted with the progress so far at Stokewood. On completion we will be providing an invigorated space offering more opportunities for local people to enjoy health and fitness pursuits.”

“It’s great to see the project coming along and we can’t wait to see the new and improved space, adds Peter Gunn, BH Live’s Chief Executive. “These improvements will enable us to continue meeting the high expectations and diverse needs of our community; to encourage people of all ages and abilities to be more active to promote greater health and wellbeing.”

Natasha Barnes General Manager of Lifetime Construction Ltd, the main contractor for the project, said: “We are pleased with progress to date on this very exciting enhancement to Stokewood’s facilities.  We have received full cooperation from BH Live’s on site team whilst undertaking works which has been very helpful.” 

The centre remains open during the work and customers can also use other facilities in the area at Sir David English, Littledown, Pelhams and BH Live Active, Queen’s Park.

The improved facilities are due to open to the public by Spring/Summer 2017.

Find out more from the team at Stokewood and at bhliveactive.org.uk.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

Photo caption:

Homepage thumbnail – Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council, John Beesley (left) and BH Live’s Chief Executive, Peter Gunn (right)

Main image – Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council, John Beesley and Cllr Pat Oakley (far left front). BH Live’s Chief Executive, Peter Gunn, (far right front) joined by John Davies, Stokewood Leisure Centre Manager and representatives from Bournemouth Borough Council, RUND and Lifetime Construction.

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. They welcomed 2.6 million visits into its leisure centres and 118,000 conference and exhibition delegates into its venues. This contributed an estimated £66.3 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

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 and enjoys excellent relationships with local community groups, Bournemouth University, colleges and local schools. For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk

Get social with us on Facebook and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK @bhliveactive

For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk