Alliance Leisure have successfully completed a £1.5m transformation of Haverhill Leisure Centre for West Suffolk Council and Abbeycroft Leisure. The project has already been hailed a huge success, delivered on time and within budget via the UK Leisure Framework.
New users of all ages packed out the new facilities on opening weekend. The centre remained open to the public throughout the 7 month build project which included:
XHeight Adventure Climbing
Soft Play
Indoor Parkour
new enlarged Gym
Studios
Changing Rooms
Paddy & Scott’s café
Self-Centre Health & Wellbeing facility, including 3 x Studios and 7 x Treatment Rooms
New Reception & circulation areas
New Sports Hall floor for the local school!
Watch this space for more photos of this outstanding development, and the full story…
The development of public sector leisure facilities is set to become more efficient and affordable after Denbighshire County Council appointed Alliance Leisure to lead its new UK Leisure Framework.
As the Leisure Development Partner of the new Framework, Alliance Leisure will facilitate the delivery of design, refurbishment, construction, equipping and development of leisure centres, theatres, play facilities, recreation facilities and sports facilities across the UK public sector and will also provide marketing support.
The announcement comes as funding cuts are forcing many local authorities to divert cash from leisure to maintain essential services leaving much of the UK’s ageing public leisure stock overdue for redevelopment.
The new Framework makes it easier and more cost-effective for public sector leisure providers to scope, develop and deliver physical leisure developments as well as cultural and marketing related services. It follows the successful relationship between Alliance Leisure and Denbighshire County Council during which has seen the development of eight projects over the last four years.
“The introduction of this Leisure Framework is hugely significant,” says Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader of Denbighshire County Council. “Traditionally, procuring development works is a costly and time consuming headache for local authority leisure providers. The Framework will simplify the whole process making it more cost and time efficient. It will also ensure only suppliers with proven track records are engaged, mitigating the risk involved when selecting delivery partners to ensure value for money to the public sector.”
The Framework is open to any public sector organisation including local authorities, leisure trusts and private limited companies operating leisure facilities on behalf of UK public sector clients.
Sarah Watts, CEO, Alliance Leisure, says: “Denbighshire County Council is leading the way with this Framework, which is focused on reducing costs and improving efficiencies for both the client and the contractor, ensuring a larger percentage of the client’s overall budget is allocated to the development project, rather than the procurement process.
“The option to use the Framework’s marketing services is also unique. Alliance Leisure is able to provide these services on an income-share basis, without the need for any upfront payment. The client is then only required to make payments when pre-agreed income targets are met.”
To reflect the individuality of every project, Alliance Leisure has selected a number of contractors, architects, specialist leisure advisors and equipment suppliers, to provide Framework services across a number of categories including; feasibility studies and business planning, design management and services, construction, sourcing and provision of private funding, marketing, branding and sales development and equipment provision.
Procured in accordance with EU Procurement Regulations by Denbighshire County Council, the Framework term is four years, commencing on February 1, 2017 and the Board comprises of Officers from Denbighshire County Council and representatives from Alliance Leisure. The Leisure Framework has a potential value of £750 million and the maximum value of any project awarded under the Framework is £20 million.
Exmouth Leisure Centre’s phase 2 development is now underway as part of the £800k investment in the facility. This phase will see the refurbishment of the wet changing areas and is part-funded by £180k from Sport England and £180k from East Devon District Council. LED Leisure Management Ltd are providing the remaining funds.
Work has been completed on phase 2 of the leisure development at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre. The 850k investment in the centre, operated by Circadian Trust, sees the sports hall converted into 17-wall XHeight climbing centre and large play centre. As part of the extension the Soho cafe was also refurbished and extended.
Phase 2b now continues and will reveal a new gym to the community at the end of November.
Work has started today on the £3.6m investment at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre with construction partner Createability. Alliance Leisure were appointed as the development partner for South Gloucestershire Council and Circadian Trust and the Bradley Stoke project will be the first in this partnership.
The development will include:
– 17-Wall XHeight climbing facility
– Large adventure play
– 12-Station toning suite
– Larger Group Exercise and Multi-Purpose Studios
– Gym Expansion
– Party Rooms
– Additional Parking Spaces
– Refurbished Changing Rooms
– Soho Café Expansion
The project is being phased to minimise disruption to the centre:
Phase 1:
Conversion of 2 squash courts to 2 large studio’s
Refurbishment of the female dry changing rooms
Completes early May 2016
Phase 2:
Conversion of 2 courts from the 6 court hall to climbing and play
Refurbishment of the male changing rooms
Gym extension
Café extension
Car park expansion
Façade upgrade
Completes October 2016
Phase 3:
Conversion of existing soft play to toning and 2 party rooms
Refurbishment of existing studio’s
Completes January 2017
A quick sample of various marketing imagery we have provided for our clients. For more information give us a call on 01278 444944 or email john@allianceleisure.co.uk
The £2.9 million transformation of Howe Bridge Sports Centre into a first class family fitness facility has begun. Alliance Leisure is working in partnership with Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) and construction company ISG construction, to renovate the building on behalf of Wigan Council.
The first phase of the project will see a new health and fitness suite developed on the first floor, the creation of a new lobby and café plus new cladding put on the building outside. As part of the new strategic partnership for leisure, Wigan Council has invested £2.4m in to the project. Leisure partner WLCT secured £500,000 from the National Lottery’s Sport England Improvement Fund as added investment to the project.
Cllr Paul Kenny, cabinet member for resources at Wigan Council, said: “I’m delighted to see the physical works starting on this project, which will bring new, improved leisure opportunities to people in Wigan Borough. As part of the Deal we want to encourage people in our communities to get more active and the facilities that we are providing at Howe Bridge Sports Centre will enable residents to do just that.”
Pete Burt, managing director of WLCT, said: “We’re extremely excited about what’s happening at Howe Bridge and really proud that we will be managing the new centre. This is all part of our ongoing commitment to Wigan Council to support investment into leisure facilities and use our industry expertise to deliver the activities and services that will make fitness fun and change the lives of local people.”
James Foley, business development manager for Alliance Leisure said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with both the council and trust to bring to life this innovative Sport England-supported scheme. The project will transform the site dramatically and it is a pleasure to be able to help make an impact at a local level in my hometown, returning to the facilities I myself learnt to swim in over 30 years ago!”
The new centre will combine traditional sports facilities with a high quality health and fitness suite and innovative leisure products including VerTGo Adventure Climbing, Indoor Extreme Skate Park and adventure play facilities. The new health and fitness suite will include an 80-station gym, sauna and steam room, a spinning studio, a studio for group fitness and new changing rooms. The centre’s reception area will also be opened up and an enhanced catering and vending offer introduced. In addition, a high quality, synthetic football and rugby-compliant pitch will be introduced on site. The downstairs gym will remain open while the works are carried out so there will be no disruption for customers.
Work on the scheme is due to be completed by November.
Torfaen Leisure Trust is delighted to announce that the development proposals for Cwmbran Stadium leisure centre will be going ahead. The initial proposals were approved by the Torfaen Leisure Trust Board in January 2014. Since that time a great deal of detailed work has been carried out by the Trust to agree the design and the funding package, the Trust were required to seek the necessary approvals such as submitting a planning application for the 3G pitch.
The Trust Board has approved the appointment of Alliance Leisure as its development partner for the project. Alun Williams Chair of Torfaen Leisure Trust said: “I’m delighted that these exciting proposals for the redevelopment of Cwmbran Stadium are going ahead. The proposals put forward will provide improvements that are both modern and vibrant. We passionately believe that our customer experience should be first class. This is a great opportunity to reward all of our current members for their loyalty and the new facilities will offer a significant attraction to new customers and enable us to grow our business and improve the health and fitness of more people in Torfaen.”
The development project will be delivered in two Phases:
Phase 1: Changing the use of the current 4 Court Sports Hall to create an Indoor Climbing ‘Vertigo’ centre, a large Soft Play area, and a Coffee Shop A new 70 station Fitness Suite with Functional Training Improvements to the current reception area
Phase 2: Convert the current grass pitch into a 3G surface
Lewis Jones, deputy leader of Torfaen council, said: “The delivery of this project supports the council’s decision to form a trust to provide leisure services in Torfaen. These new facilities will help to sustain Cwmbran Stadium in the long term, taking into account changing fitness trends and creating a more contemporary environment for people of all ages to enjoy. Once complete, the new facilities will act as a focal point for community activities and increase levels of physical activity across the county borough.”
Sally Church CEO of Torfaen Leisure explained: “The project for Cwmbran Stadium will help Torfaen Leisure Trust deliver on its three keys aims; To have “More People, More Active More Often”, to support long term sustainability and future investment, and to ensure value for money.”
There are a couple of key messages regarding the project; the Trust are investing despite the current financial climate and significant spending constraints, and the redevelopment improvements will provide wider community benefits such as the opportunity to participate in a wider variety of new activities aimed at the whole community and with particular emphasis on children, young people and families.
Sally Church added “We have to make the best possible use of all our resources. Replacing the current grass centre pitch with a 3G pitch and converting the small sports hall will enable us to meet the demand, we know is there for more and better fitness and sports facilities and we will put the space to the best possible use for the maximum number of customers. The proposed redevelopment will not result in the closure of Cwmbran Stadium.
“We will deliver the project in two Phases, Phase 1 will be the internal redevelopment and Phase 2 will be the conversion of the current grass pitch into a 3G pitch. We have been assured by Alliance Leisure that they always work in ‘live’ facilities and its supply team are skilled in maintaining services thus keeping disruption to a minimum. We fully appreciate that some sports hall and centre pitch users will see some disruption but, where possible, we will help current users through the use of accessible, alternative, facilities, for example we are making the current grass pitch available to customers who currently use the 4 Courts Sports Hall for bookings to ensure we that we continue to provide a service, in fact we have gained new bookings as a result of making the grass pitch available throughout the week.
“The Trust will ensure that all customers, residents and other local club, or community groups will be kept up to date on progress with the proposals.”
