Bigger and better fitness facilities coming soon to Lords Meadow Leisure Centre

Mid Devon District Council gives the go-ahead for new fitness and dance studios.

At yesterday’s Cabinet meeting (Thursday 7 June), councillors voted in favour of a major development project at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre in Crediton.

Users of the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre will soon be able to enjoy a range of new state-of-the-art facilities including a much bigger fitness studio (gym) and a much bigger dance studio than those currently available at the centre. This will be achieved by converting the existing large but under-used sports hall.

The new facilities will include:

- an impressive new fitness studio – which will triple the size of the current facility providing over 50 stations including 33 cardio-vascular machines, full air conditioning and integrated music systems

- a new, much larger bespoke dance studio space for dance and aerobics, with fully sprung flooring and air conditioning. Having a total of three separate dance studios will enable the centre to offer more classes at peak times, including  Spinning classes

-  a new multi-purpose room which can be hired by outside groups.

Work is due to start by specialist leisure contractor ALS in early July with completion due in mid-September. The cost of the project is £370,000, which is expected to be offset over a five-year period by increased income from fitness and dance studio users.

Councillor Bob Deed, Cabinet Member for Community Well Being, said
“With ever-increasing pressure on local authority budgets we have to make the best possible use of all our resources, including the three Mid Devon Leisure centres. Converting the sports hall will enable us to meet the demand we know is there for more and better fitness facilities and will put the space to the best possible use for maximum number of customers. We appreciate that some sports hall users will be disappointed and so where possible we are helping current users of the sports hall find alternative facilities or activities. As well as holding a meeting with clubs, societies and other centre users we will also shortly be arranging a town meeting for the general public to hear about the changes at Lords Meadow.”

Lords Meadow Leisure Centre Manager Lee Chester said
“We passionately believe that the customer experience should be first class. This is a great opportunity to reward all the current members for their loyalty and the new facilities will offer a significant attraction to new customers.”   

At the full Council meeting on 27 June, consideration will be given to approving further enhancements to complement the development work already agreed. This would include: improved changing areas and reception area; general “sprucing up” of other parts of the centre including new flooring, refurbished facilities in swimming pool changing area and redecoration; and the provision of some 30 additional car parking spaces to relieve pressure on parking and meet increased customer demand.


Notes:

The maximisation of space in leisure sites to increase participation and revenue has been a developing trend up and down the country, with a move away from a traditional “sports centre” configuration to meet the current demand for fitness studios and classes.

The site at Lords Meadow in Crediton was built in August 1991 to a traditional design, is a very large facility with some areas, including the sports hall, being under-utilised.

The size of the new fitness studio will be 330m2 or 3,552 sq ft (as against 110m2 or 1,184 sq ft currently).

The size of the new dance studio will be 157m2 or 1,690 sq ft (as against 60m2 or 646 sq ft currently).


For more information please contact:

Samantha Bennion                                    
Leisure Facilities Manager        
Mid Devon District Council                         
Tel: 01884 234902                
Email: sbennion@middevon.gov.uk                

or

Andrew Lacey
Communications Manager
Mid Devon District Council
Tel: 01884 234232  
Email: alacey@middevon.gov.uk