London & South East Premier Construction

Major new extension transforms leisure centre


Waterlooville Leisure Centre
Written by Roma Publications

Waterlooville Leisure Centre

A new extension incorporating a state-of-the-art three-storey gym and a 50-capacity studio, together with a new children’s indoor play centre and a cafe, has just opened at Waterlooville Leisure Centre in Waterlooville.

The project, carried out for Horizon Leisure by main contractors Speltham Contracts Ltd and designed by PDP Architects, also included the comprehensive refurbishment of the centre’s reception area.

The long-awaited project is geared to increasing and improving the range of leisure facilities available to the community by transforming the leisure centre, which was built in 1991.

The new gym and studio were completed first, closely followed by the other facilities.

The façade of the new extension has been treated in a modern contemporary way, with a strong colour render to the stair core and a wraparound zinc clad margin. The rear elevation has a ribbon of glazing at high level again to allow natural light and ventilation to the main play area. The external cladding is in a neutral colour to blend into the surrounding colour palette.

Speaking at the opening of the gym and studio, Howard Broad, Chief Executive of Horizon Leisure Centres said: “Having opened a hugely successful new gym at Havant Leisure Centre last July, I am extremely proud to be opening another fantastic new gym within a year at our Waterlooville Centre.

“As a charity, we are dedicated to improving and developing our leisure centres in order to enable more people to become more active more often and to ‘Make Life Better’ for our users.”

The fantastic new air-conditioned gym contains over 150 state-of-the-art work stations from leading equipment supplier Life Fitness. The modern naturally-lit gym enables users to improve their health and fitness levels with supportive instructors guiding individuals through their fitness journey to reach their personal goals.

Waterlooville Leisure Centre

The cardio-vascular area has treadmills, stationary bicycles, rowers, cross trainers, new Power Mills and two new everlasting staircases. Resistance equipment covers every muscle group in the body and comprises a great selection of free-weight machines and weights, alongside a functional training area.

The spacious new air-conditioned exercise studio means there will be a bigger and wider range of group fitness classes. Horizon Leisure Centres have programmed a wide-range of over 50 classes a week at Waterlooville Leisure Centre with pay-as-you-go options making the classes accessible for everyone.

Harry Abbott a member Horizon Leisure Centre said:

“Having been a member of Waterlooville Leisure Centre since December 2014, I am extremely excited for the opening of the new gym and the additional facilities it will bring. The greater selection of free-weight machines and weights will be particularly useful. It will be motivating to have new equipment to incorporate into my work-outs to ensure I can constantly challenge myself and push towards achieving my fitness goals.”

The new play centre offers a unique fun and educational experience for children. It is an adventure with an ‘around the world’ theme that starts in reception through to the Horizon World of Play departures lounge. Once checked in children can travel around the world visiting a range of countries including UK, USA, Italy, Australia and Antarctic.

Each country has a range of exciting special features that children can play on whilst learning about famous landmarks and places. Children can surf in Australia; find their way around a busy Oxford Circus in London; see the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy; climb the Statue of Liberty in New York, or slide down the icy slides in the Antarctic with penguin friends.

Horizon World of Play contains three new themed party rooms UK, Australia and USA. Not forgetting the adults, the new play centre will also offer a comfortable seating area for adults to relax as the children are on their world adventure.

Despite the significant investment made by Horizon, membership prices have been frozen in order to encourage greater participation and help improve the health and well-being of the community.

Horizon Leisure Centre is the charity that operates both Havant and Waterlooville Leisure Centres.

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Roma Publications