The West View Better Health Leisure Centre was this week reopened by the Mayor of Preston Javed Iqbal.
AdvertisementOn Monday 13 September, the Mayor opened the Ribbleton leisure centre to the public, marking the long-awaited refurbishment of the venue, which now includes a revamped pool and new sauna health suite.
The reopening follows significant investment designed to create a leisure offering that will attract local people for health and fitness, give a boost to membership, and ensure facilities remain in good condition for the future.
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The news comes just over a year since operators said spiralling costs meant the centre would not re-open for the foreseeable future.
Better Partnership Manager Derek Jones said: “After a difficult 18 months for many, we are proud to unveil our newly improved facilities and hope they will provide a welcome post-Covid boost for our customers, meaning more local residents can enjoy the facilities in future.
“Better exist to inspire a health and wellbeing habit that sees more people, more active, more often. So, we are really keen that customers want to return to us after a period of disruption.
“These are the most important investments since the building opened, and our staff are keen to give our members the warmest of welcomes when they return to our brighter and smarter look.”
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The works included retiling the pool tank, repainting and the installation of a new sauna health suite.
The climbing wall has been a feature at West View for over 30 years. Offered by experts PrestonWall, the customer capacity has doubled across 500 sqm of bouldering and over 700 sqm of roped climbing with auto-belay stations.
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Paul Cottee of PrestonWall said: “We are thrilled to be ushering in the climbing wall at West View into a new chapter of its long history.
“Being able to not only renovate the existing walls but expand the climbing facilities allows us to welcome people into the community looking to take their first steps into a sport that saw its first world competition appearance in Japan this year.“
The leisure centre remained open for gym, fitness classes, sports hall, indoor and outdoor football and soft play while the works were completed across 10 weeks this summer.
Councillor Jennifer Mein said: “West View Better Health Leisure Centre has been a part of the local community for many years, and many residents have missed the facilities during its closure.
“It is fantastic to see investment made into the local leisure centre, and I am excited to see the new facilities enjoyed by families throughout Preston as well as the various community and volunteer groups that make use of the centre.
“I am sure the new and expanded climbing wall will be popular not only with Preston residents but with people from across Lancashire and beyond.”
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The swimming pool and sauna health suite are open from 7am, Monday to Friday, and 8am at weekends.
For more information, visit the Better website.
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Will you be visiting the leisure centre? Let us know in the comments below