As part of the conditional national reopening of the leisure sector, the gym and new changing rooms at Plymouth Life Centre be available from 12 April, with the 50 metre pool and leisure pool opening at the end of April.
Other facilities and activities will also begin to reopen in accordance with the Government’s roadmap to easing lockdown restrictions.
Contractors Balfour Beatty, Arcadis and our operational partners Everyone Active are working flat out to finish the work programme which started last August and the finishing line is in sight.
When Plymouth Life Centre reopens, the vast majority of ‘dry’ facilities will be available, with the 50m pool and leisure pool opening towards the end of April.
Work on the diving pool is expected to be complete by early June.
The work follows more investigations and a complete re-render and re-tile of the pool walls was instigated to prevent further works being required further down the line.
These additional works have affected the timescales for the dive pool reopening but significantly, swimming and other aquatic activities will available from end of April.
Other leisure facilities will be open in line with Government announcements of the sector, including the Brickfields Athletics Track and All Weather Pitch from 29 March and indoor facilities at Brickfields and Plympton Swimming Pool from 12 April.
The Council recently gave the go-ahead for the outdoor pools (Tinside Lido and Mount Wise Swimming Pools) to open on 1 May, a month earlier than usual.
On reopening, Plymouth Life Centre will reflect the latest standards in the ever-evolving fitness sector with increased Covid-19 safety, new carbon reduction measures and an overall improved customer experience.
The key enhancement elements remain on track and are progressing well ahead of the reopening, these include:
- Refitting male and female gym change areas with new lockers, cubicles, LED lighting and fixtures and fittings
- A new fitness studio, to be used for yoga, Pilates and other group classes
- Replacing carpet and floor coverings in many areas of the building: viewing galleries, bowls hall and circulation spaces
- Upgrades to heating and ventilation systems throughout the building, which improve air quality and mitigate the risk from air borne viruses and contagions, such as Covid-19
Deputy Leader, Pete Smith said; “The contractors onsite at Plymouth Life Centre have done an excellent job progressing works in what has been a particularly challenging period with rising coronavirus infections over the past few months.
“We are on track to reopen a significant number of activities at the Plymouth Life Centre in line with the earliest national timescales, followed shortly afterwards by the 50m and leisure pool, but we are aware this is subject to the overall control of coronavirus in England.
“We know people are keen to get back in the water as soon as possible which is why we plan to open the outdoor pools earlier to give our swimmers choice.
“I know the delay to diving will be a disappointment for some visitors and sports groups, but we are totally committed to getting the necessary works completed and getting these facilities back safely a few weeks after the initial reopening of the centre.”
Jack Buckner and Jane Nickerson, CEOs of British Swimming and Swim England, said: “As a regular host of British Swimming and Swim England events, the Plymouth Life Centre provides the stage for memorable moments for our athletes, coaches, support staff, supporters and all involved in aquatics sports. It is also the home of great swimming and diving clubs.
“We appreciate the scale of these works and the necessary measures being undertaken at the diving pool to deliver upgraded facilities, which will benefit divers of all levels for years to come.
“All at British Swimming and Swim England look forward to supporting the reopened Plymouth Life Centre and being involved in future exciting events taking place there.”