It’s here - Radcliffe pool and leisure centre opens in May

The new Radcliffe Leisure Centre in Spring Lane will open its doors to the public in the third week of May.

It’s the result of months of work to create a replacement leisure centre after the existing Radcliffe Pool and Fitness Centre was severely damaged by a storm in December 2013.

The main swimming pool had to be closed due to the damage, and subsequent surveys revealed major structural decay in the fabric of the

building which was too costly to repair.

Relocating the centre to Spring Lane brings the opportunity to provide a full range of accessible fitness facilities all on one site, complemented by a large parking area and easy access via the nearby Metrolink station.

The new centre will offer the following:

* A25 x 8 metre swimming pool - for adult and junior swimming lessons, swimming sessions, aqua aerobics, aqua natal and pool fun sessions. It will be fully accessible and have pool-side changing and toilet facilities, plus a seating area for 40 spectators.

* New 48-station gym and functional training zone – with state-of-the-art gym equipment relocated from the old Radcliffe Pool and Fitness Centre.

* Sports Hall - available for 5-a-side football, weekend badminton sessions, basketball, netball and general hall hire.

* Small hall/Fitness studio - for studio classes and general hire. Classes such as Bums/Legs/Tums, Step and Zumba will be offered with Boogie Bounce coming soon.

* New changing facilities - for dry side and wet side changing.

Visitors will be able to use the new facilities on a ‘pay as you go’ basis or by taking out one of the Bury Leisure membership options or special offers throughout the year.

The centre will beopen from 7am until 10pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 6pm at weekends.

There will be disabled parking bays in the centre car park, positioned close to the reception area. The grounds and centre will also be fully accessible including disabled changing and toilets.

Key times and dates:

• Saturday 9 May - Radcliffe Pool and Fitness Centre closes to the public. Gym equipment dismantled and transferred to the new Radcliffe Leisure Centre.
• Monday 18 May, at 7am – Gym, sports hall and fitness studio opens to Bury Leisure members and the general public.
• Tuesday 26 May, at 7am – Swimming pool opens for swimming lessons and sessions.

Councillor Rishi Shori, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We promised that we would create new facilities for the people of Radcliffe after the irreparable damage done to the old pool by the winter storms.

“This is a great new leisure centre which we’re sure people will make the most of, and we are still looking at long-term plans to build a brand new permanent leisure centre on the site of the old one.

“We will be holding an Open Day in early June with special offers and promotions, which we will announce nearer the time.”

For more information on Bury Leisure facilities, to book activities or take out a membership, visit: www.bury.gov.uk/buryleisure

ENDS

Press release issued: 5 May 2015.