Abbeycroft Leisure will be reopening the doors at the newly refurbished Brandon Leisure Centre on the 12th April, subject to the Government’s roadmap conditions.
The first phase of the 44-week project, designed to bring community health services alongside improved fitness facilities, has been completed on time.
Customers and residents can expect to see a relocated, refurbished gym with a new free weights area, new fitness studio, refurbished sports hall and changing rooms.
Although some services such as indoor, group fitness classes can’t resume until May 17th at the earliest, Abbeycroft have been working hard to develop a programme of outdoor fitness classes instead from 12th April, so that customers can return to the leisure centre and enjoy a full range of activities and opportunities.
The final stages of the upgrade will see the introduction of a Shapemaster suite, new cafe, reception and the health treatment rooms.
Brandon Leisure Centre is owned by West Suffolk Council and managed by not-for-profit social enterprise Abbeycroft Leisure. The £1.97m cost of the project is being met from West Suffolk Council’s Leisure Investment Fund, and is scheduled for final completion in September 2021.
Alison Blackwell, Development Director and General Manager at Brandon said:
“We’re very excited to be opening our centres again and we hope residents in Brandon will be as happy with the new facilities as we are”
“The last year has been very challenging for everyone, but we know that leading active, healthy lifestyles will help build resilience.”
Cllr Jo Rayner, Cabinet member for Leisure, Culture and Community Hubs said,
‘Keeping active is going to be more important than ever in the months to come, which is why we have been working throughout lockdown to transform Brandon Leisure Centre with a £2m refit. I’m very excited that the first phase of this project is ready for use as soon as the Government allows, and we are looking forward to introducing residents back to the new gym, free weights area, changing rooms and sports hall. The new facilities also include our first Changing Places toilet. Local people have been central to designing this refit and tailoring it for the community. In the weeks to come we’ll be starting a new programme of classes, opening a Shapemaster suite, café and welcoming community health colleagues in to share the space.’
