With hot yoga, an immersive virtual group cycling studio and interactive climbing facilities, the new centre aims to offer something for the whole community.
AS one of the first leisure centres in its portfolio, Places Leisure had managed Arena Leisure Centre in Camberley since 1984 in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council. In 2019, the company was awarded the 25-year Design, Build, Operate and Maintain Contract for a new leisure centre on the Arena site, along with Pellikaan Construction and architects Roberts Limbrick.
The 21-month construction scheme got underway in September 2019 and continued throughout the pandemic to open on time and on budget on 1st July 2021. Since then, some 9,000 people have used the facility.
reduced energy footprint
The multimillion-pound centre was built on the site of the old Arena Leisure Centre with the project team working closely together from the outset with key partners to overcome any build challenges presented including the proximity to the main road.
The new sustainable venue has a reduced energy footprint compared to the older Arena Leisure Centre and has been designed to complement the customer journey, guiding people through the centre as they undertake their activity whilst reducing any ‘wasted and unused space’ to create a more energy efficient build.
The new building management system has heavily controlled parameters that are adjusted on a daily basis to ensure the most energy efficient use. A bike repair station has also been installed outside the centre to encourage people to travel to the venue via a greener mode of transport and the new multi-storey car park features 10 electric vehicle charging points.
inclusive and accessible
Offering some of the latest leisure industry tech and innovations, the accessible venue has been designed to appeal to all users; creating a non-intimating and innovative environment that is fit for purpose.
The new centre offers a 25m six lane swimming pool and 20m learner pool with moveable floor, as well as an interactive splash pad area with jets and fairy tale castle design, to support young children in becoming more water confident.
EVA Optic direct lighting has been fitted overhead to shine down over the water for minimal glare and surface reflection to ensure greater visibility into the water and a safer environment for bathers. Supplied in the UK by Golden Coast, the 12 120w EVAline lights and 12 60w EVAline lights installed around the pool hall provide powerful illumination despite their lower wattage.
A Trenomat acoustic electric wall can be lowered to separate the training pool from the main pool for private bookings and events, with blinds fitted in the pool viewing windows to further add privacy where needed. This was particularly important given the centre’s partnership with the local Muslim Association and enables women only sessions to be offered as part of the aquatic programme.
The centre also offers a fully registered Changing Places specification changing room within the pool village changing rooms to better support people with disabilities. The room features a full room hoist, adjustable height changing bed, adjustable basin, toilet, shower and privacy screen. Access to the main pool is graduated step access and a pool platform lift is also present for easy access.
innovative offering
D2F Fitness created a dedicated functional training space in the 845sq m open plan gym, which occupies approximately a third of the total training space. The area is defined by equipment rather than physical dividers, helping to reduce barriers and encourage engagement. A multi-station, built-to-order Tesseract rig provides the main frame for activity in the space for personal training, small group classes and independent training. D2F supplied a versatile prowler to complement the 10m artificial turf track that runs the length of the functional training space.
Most of the functional kit included, such as Kettlebells, boxing gloves, mitts and pads are provided by established US brand TKO Strength and Performance, distributed to the UK exclusively by D2F Fitness.
The company also supplied consumables and storage solutions from its Tesseract range for the eight court sports hall sports hall, two group exercise studios and the climate-controlled hot yoga studio, which features an ultra-modern heating/humidity system and variable mood lighting.
A fully immersive virtual group cycling studio with cinematic screen and strobe lighting effects has also been introduced to take customers on a journey through an array of digitally created worlds and gamifying their whole cycling experience at the click of a button.
The venue also includes a health suite with citrus and eucalyptus steam rooms, salt room and heated loungers as well as a Clip 'n Climb climbing arena with 25 interactive climbing features and a purpose[1]built adventure play area for families. A new Costa Coffee area provides a space for customers to relax and connect before and after activity.
“The breadth of activity offered will ensure that the centre caters for all members of our community and we are looking forward to welcoming more people through the doors and back into activity in the months and years ahead,” said Paul McPartlan, CEO of Places Leisure.
The centre officially launches in October.
