A sports and wellness centre in Amersham reached half a million visitors since its opening.
The Chilterns Lifestyle Centre had nearly 500,000 visitors through its doors in its first six months since opening in December last year - a fourfold increase compared to its previous site, the Chilterns Pool and Gym.
The £36 million centre, managed by Everyone Active for Buckinghamshire Council, includes a leisure centre, library, community centre, café, pre-school nursery and function rooms for hire.
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After opening its doors amid a delay in the final stages of testing the building, the leisure centre has seen substantial growth in its fitness memberships, reporting a 170 % increase alongside a 70 % increase in its swimming lesson learners.
The 25 metre, eight lane swimming pool has seen Amersham Swim Club host its first ‘Open Meet’ back in March, and a number of other clubs have also embraced the opportunity to utilise the space. Raans Gymnastics now runs a club for four days a week, alongside a weekly Genesis Martial Arts class and a new Dance School class.
Looking ahead, there are ‘many more exciting plans to come’, says Steve Salwa Contract Manager at Everyone Active.
He said: “The success of the leisure centre has far exceeded our expectations and we are now focused on how we can continue to build on that success. We’re looking at ways to develop our current programmes and launch new offerings which cater to all ages and abilities.”
In the future the centre will offer bootcamp classes, new climbing membership and inclusive community programmes such as chair based exercise, walking netball or football and pickleball.
In addition, the centre is hoping to accommodate and support Headway, the brain injury association, in introducing activities for those with brain injuries.
Steve added: “We set out with the strategy to create a centre for everyone to enjoy and we feel this is exactly what we’ve delivered.
"Proven by the positive feedback from clubs and customers, and the sheer volume of people through the doors – we have become a central hub for the local community and we’re looking forward to a busy summer and welcoming even more customers into the centre.”
Everyone Active has created 28 full time jobs and been shortlisted for a ‘Soft Play of the Year’ award.
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Clive Harris, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “We’re very proud of the centre, and it’s proving to be a great community asset for Amersham and the surrounding areas.
“I hope the impressive facilities available at the centre will continue to encourage more residents to be physically active over the summer months and beyond. If you haven’t yet visited the centre – please come along and see what’s on offer.”
The half a million-visitor milestone comes after some customer complaints about the level of cleaning in the women’s changing rooms and the soft play area – issues the centre promised to address.
In May Everyone Active announced its campaign to give Ukrainian refugees free memberships, which is still available here.
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