Final preparations are underway before the official opening of the £27 million redevelopment of the Sands Centre in Carlisle.

Membership of the brand-new facilities, which include two pools, a four-court sports hall with a spectator gallery, a state-of-the-art gym, and spinning studio and dance studios, will cost £36 per month, with cheaper off-peak and concession rates also available.

At the heart of the newly improved centre are the two pools which include an eight lane 25 metre pool alongside a 20-metre learner pool with a retractable floor.

News and Star: The pool facilities will be used by everyone from baby and toddler sessions to swimming squad training.

The gym will offer 50 different classes, from yoga and Pilates to spin classes and high intensity workouts with all cycle exercises linked up to the user’s ‘Strava’ app.

The project also consolidates the existing arrangements with the North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust Musculoskeletal (MSK) team.

The MSK team already provide treatment services at The Sands Centre but will be able to expand their services and develop new joint/collective treatment and rehabilitation activities with GLL and other partners.

News and Star: The Sands Centre is run by GLL and Tom Rice, GLL Partnership Advisor, said everyone is welcome.

“We’re very keen to encourage everyone, whether new or experienced, to come and enjoy our facilities” Rice said.

The project has been spearheaded by Carlisle City Council and council leader, Cllr John Mallinson, said that the centre ‘will be great for Carlisle’

“It’s there for everyone to use and enjoy and its absolutely top value for money,” said Cllr Mallinson.

“It’s very important that the centre is not elitist and is there and available for people to use.”

News and Star: The centre is fully accessible, dementia friendly and all public sessions are adaptable to every need.

Cllr Mallinson said the project has been delivered, “on time and in budget” with the £27 million development spending 86 weeks on site to complete the work having to deal with Covid interruptions during the process.

Alongside the new sports facilities, upstairs there is a brand-new bar and function room available to hire by the public.

Opening time for the facilities will be 6:30am until 9:30pm on weekdays and will be open to the public for the first time on Monday, November 14.

 

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