The works will begin next week and are set to be completed in December
An artist’s impression of the upgraded leisure centre(Image: Everyone Active)
A £3.8 million refurbishment is set to begin at Easton Leisure Centre later this month – and it will involve upgrades such as a new reception, a gym extension, and a new soft play area.
The planned works at the centre, run by Everyone Active in partnership with Bristol City Council, will begin on April 23rd and are expected to be finished in December this year.
The gym will see the addition of brand-new equipment from Life Fitness, and a new women’s-only gym is also set to open. The works will modernise the sports hall and add a family friendly soft play area which will feature a six-metre-high, four-tier play space and large seating area.
Forming part of the council’s Leisure Facilities Investment Strategy, the plans will also see the addition of a new exercise studio with a mezzanine floor area to provide more opportunities for group exercise classes. The investment strategy was subject to a public consultation towards the end of 2021, before being approved by the Cabinet in February 2022.
An artist’s impression of what the refurbished space will look like
There will also be new pool inflatables, a modern pool changing room area, and a new reception, seating, and café area. Plans also include all-new energy-saving initiatives throughout the building, and secure bike storage for cyclists.
The project will be completed in stages, Everyone Active said, with the gym extension, soft play, and new studio works being started first. Following that will be the installation of the women-only gym and the sports hall refurbishment – and afterwards, in the summer, the improvements to the pool changing rooms and reception area will be made.
During the works, the centre will be relocating various classes and activities to avoid the need for closure. Customers can stay updated via the dedicated refurbishment website, Everyone Active said.
Plans for the centre’s new soft play area
Cameron Bate, contract manager for Everyone Active, said: “We’re incredibly excited to announce this brilliant project and are thoroughly looking forward to unveiling new state-of-the-art facilities to the local community. The upgrades will help us offer additional ways for people of all ages and abilities to reach their health and fitness goals.” Bate added that they would make sure to keep customers updated “every step of the way”.
Meanwhile, councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee, said: “Easton Leisure Centre is the fourth leisure site in the city to undergo major improvements to provide new, modern facilities for all ages as well as spaces for local communities to socialise and connect.
“This investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting and keeping our city’s key leisure centres and pools open and thriving. We’re working hard to make sure everyone in Bristol has access to spaces that help them stay active, healthy and well.”