The countdown has begun to the opening of Active Nation’s first indoor climbing experience at Green Bank Leisure Centre in South Derbyshire.

The 16-station attraction has been design and created by industry leaders Hang Fast Ltd using their new XHeight climbing range. The clip and climb design means that anyone, regardless of age or experience, can become a climbing hero!

Emma Twyford is one of the country’s top pro climbers and an XHeight ambassador. She said: “XHeight is a great and safe way to get kids in to climbing.”

The brilliant news is that this amazing adventure will be accessible to everyone – costing just £6 for an off peak session and £8 at weekends. This will include 1 hours climbing time as well as a 30 minute briefing beforehand to help you get to grips with the equipment and make the most of your time in the zone.

The installation of the climbing zone has formed part of a £1million redevelopment of the venue which has seen party rooms, a studio and community areas also created within Grove Hall. It has also seen the installation of a brilliant new Wattbike indoor cycling studio, the replacement of the sports hall floor and the poolside and spectator areas revamped.

Active Nation’s Simon Ricketts said: “These really are exciting times for Green Bank Leisure Centre and this investment in the climbing zone is creating huge interest from across the country – it is becoming a major tourist attraction before it’s even completed!

“We are all really proud of the transformation Grove Hall has undertaken and we can’t wait to show it off and see it in use, so please come down and see for yourself. Everything will be completed and open to the public during the half term holidays.”

Don’t worry if you’re not a supporter at Green Bank Leisure Centre as the climbing centre will be open to all and is already attracting a lot of attention from schools planning adventure days for pupils, businesses looking at future corporate days and people looking to plan birthday parties and other celebrations.

With a 10% discount for anyone booking all 16 stations it really is a great option for a birthday or office party!

For more information and to see how we can get you climbing and active give us a call on 01283 216269 or simply pop in the next time you’re passing.

The post Active Nation’s First Indoor Climbing Zone Ready To Launch In South Derbyshire! appeared first on Active Nation.

Active Nation’s Green Bank Leisure Centre is home to a new state-of-the-art studio of Wattbike indoor cycles that will transform the way you train.

Wattbikes, developed in association with British Cycling and used by top athletes and sports clubs around the world, are the only indoor cycle to ‘feel’ like  riding a real bike and at the same time deliver accurate, consistent performance data and technical feedback.

The Swadlincote venue’s former sauna area has been completely transformed into a new studio to house these impressive pieces of kit. This brilliant use of the space has provided a great new addition to what the centre has to offer.

The upgrade has formed part of the £1million redevelopment of the venue which has seen the creation of a new 16-station indoor climbing zone, party rooms, studio and community areas in Grove Hall. It has also replaced the sports hall floor and revamped the poolside and spectator areas.

The studio provides a world class training facility not only for Active Nation supporters – but also local cyclists, triathletes, athletes, teams, groups and clubs – to assist with their training all year round.

The great thing about Wattbikes is that you don’t have to be a world class athlete to use them – they are straight forward to use and accessible to everyone. All of our instructors have been trained by the Wattbike team and will be on hand to offer advice and feedback.

Simply attend one of our many group exercise indoor cycling classes or get in touch if you would like your group to use this exciting new fully equipped Wattbike studio.

Active Nation’s Simon Ricketts said: “We are passionate about the benefits Wattbikes can bring to your training. It’s why the cycling, triathlon and fitness worlds have been so excited by their development! But don’t just take our word for it – come down and discover Wattbikes today at Green Bank Leisure Centre.”

Give us a call today on 01283 216269 to find out more and arrange a visit.

The post Green Bank’s New Watt Bike Studio – The Latest Stage In The Venue’s £1m Development Now Completed! appeared first on Active Nation.

Work has now begun on transforming Grove Hall into an exciting new space for the whole community. The conversion of the old health suite into a new Watt Bike studio also well underway and plans are now being made for the next exciting phase that will concentrate on the main sports hall and swimming pool areas.

Works in the sports hall and swimming pool Hall are scheduled to commence in August, starting with the replacement of the sports hall floor from August 17^th-28^th. During this time this area will not be available to supporters, but we are drawing up a revised timetable for this period to help keep you active while the changes are taking place.

From August 24^th-September 4^th we will be resurfacing the swimming pool surrounds – during this time you are invited to use Etwall Leisure Centre’s pool.

Not only will this area be buzzing with energy, enthusiasm and activity – but the new studio will also offer a purpose built, state-of-the art, air-conditioned space with a new sound system, new lighting, new equipment and everything needed to make it brilliant and accessible to all. It really will be worth the wait!

If you would like to understand more about the redevelopment and the benefits it will bring to the venue please speak to a member of our team during your next visit. We’d love to tell you all about it! Without your continued support none of this would have been possible – so…thank you!

The post Green Bank Leisure Centre’s Exciting £1million Transformation Is Well Underway appeared first on Active Nation.

Have you heard the news? Work starts next week on an exciting £500,000 redevelopment at Etwall Leisure Centre in South Derbyshire, which will see the venue’s gym double in size and the installation of two new studios!

The Active Nation venue, managed on behalf of South Derbyshire District Council, will be transformed over the next few months – enabling even more people to take part in sport and exercise.

The improvements will include a bigger and better equipped gym; a new group exercise studio; a new cycling studio; a new reception and coffee bar with views to the pool and the installation of a new tennis court surface with the addition of floodlights to enable it to be used throughout the year.

With all that extra space in the gym it means we can accommodate even more top of the range kit from leading industry supplier Precor. There will also be a new audio visual system to help keep you entertained and motivated during your workout.

The class studio will be fitted with a sprung floor and a new sound system and the new cycling studio will be kitted out with new studio cycles from Keiser and will also have a new light and sound system.

Capital contributions from South Derbyshire District Council, Active Nation and Sport England have allowed this exciting redevelopment at Etwall Leisure Centre to go forward, which will see more than £500,000 invested in improved and extended facilities.

Active Nation’s South Derbyshire contract manager David Johns said: “These really are exciting times for Etwall Leisure Centre.

“Coming quickly after the installation of the full sized artificial turf football pitch – the venue will have received £1million worth of investment in facilities – which will enhance the opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity by the enthusiastic local community.”

For more information about the redevelopment come down and have a chat with the team and have a look at the plans!

Please note that during these works the venue will remain open as normal, with a goal of causing minimal disruption to your workout, although at times inevitably there may be occasions when our programming of sessions might have to be adapted, but we will notify you of these changes in advance.

For a map of the new class locations please click here: etwall map

We’ll be in touch again next week once works have started to update you in more detail.

The post £500,000 Redevelopment Gets Underway At Etwall Leisure Centre appeared first on Active Nation.

After a £1million redevelopment Yarborough Leisure Centre is now among the best venues in Lincoln for sport and exercise and who better to help us celebrate its official opening than the city’s very own Winter Paralympic hero Jade Etherington.

On Saturday, Jade will officially kick start our Discovery Weekend where we will unveil all of the hard work that has gone in to transforming Yarborough Leisure Centre.

Every area of the venue has been transformed – but don’t just take our word for it, come down and see for yourself!

Last year Jade grabbed headlines around the world as she and guide Caroline Powell won three silver medals and a bronze at the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi – making them the most successful British female Winter Paralympians of all time.

The alpine skier has only 5 per cent vision in both eyes and was also asked to be the British flagbearer at the closing ceremony. She has since retired from the Paralympic Skiing Programme.

Active Nation supported Jade in her bid for Paralympic success while she was completing her teacher training placement at neighbouring Lincoln Castle Academy. So, who better to help us officially open our transformed venue?

As part of the weekend we are inviting everyone to enjoy a free workout in the new 2-storey gym equipped with all of the latest kit, including 2 new Wattbikes, a brilliant new multi-station small group training functional rig, 2 Octane cross trainers and loads of other brilliant equipment that will help you get the most out of your session.

Take part in a free class! With a wide range of classes running over the weekend there will be something for everyone. From Body Combat to CX Worx, yoga, Aqua, Dance Fusion, Family Zumba and so much more! But be quick as these are filling up fast!

Go for a ride in the new cycling studio!

Go for a swim! With free casual swimming on Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 9.30am-5.30pm it’s a great chance to have some free family fun. Or relax in the new sauna and steam cabins.

It really does promise to be a great weekend and we hope to see as many of our supporters as possible enjoying all of the free sport and exercise that will be on offer.

The post Winter Paralympic Hero Jade To Open Yarborough’s £1million Redevelopment appeared first on Active Nation.

The latest in football surface technology is on its way to Birchwood Leisure Centre.

Thanks to an investment by the City Of Lincoln Council a new 3G surface is being installed on the venue’s floodlit 5-a-side artificial football pitch.

3G pitches are more realistic than Astroturf, yet safer than grass. 3G looks like natural grass and has similar playing characteristics. It’s non-abrasive and it must be used with boots. The ground provides a firmer grip and allows for better ball control.

Active Nation’s Geoff Tait said: “This investment by the City Of Lincoln Council is brilliant. Birchwood Leisure Centre prides itself on being a hub for local community football and this new surface really is going to bring a new lease of life to our existing pitch.

“This first class surface will complement the popular grass pitches that are in constant use by local teams, week in and week out, throughout the season.”

Contractors Charles Lawrence Surfaces are renowned throughout the industry and have recently completed a half million pound redevelopment at the Leicester City F.C. Training Centre. The new surface at Birchwood is similar to what was used at the Premier League club.

Although the new surface will be marked out for football, it can be used for other sports and activities.

The new 3G pitch alongside the existing grass pitches are available for hire throughout the year. Please contact the venue directly on 01522 873696 or email geoff.tait@activenation.org.uk for further information.

The post New 3G Surface Is Coming To Birchwood Leisure Centre appeared first on Active Nation.

Great news! Most of the major disruptive works taking place as part of our brilliant £1million redevelopment at Yarborough Leisure Centre have now been completed.

Our reception and cafe areas have always been at the centre of Yarborough Leisure Centre – with hundreds of people passing through them every day – and now with the improvements they really are the heart of the venue.

They are a great place to meet up, have a good catch up, recharge your batteries after your workout, escape from the outside world and you can even book your next session! Keep an eye out for some great offers on our café refreshments!

Our dry changing rooms, pool changing rooms and toilets have all been transformed, our new lift has been installed and the flooring is down.

The feedback so far has been great! The centre is buzzing and has an exciting energy flowing through all areas which is inspiring everyone to get active.

Work on our impressive 2-storey gym is well underway. The walls have been plastered, the stairs are in and the ceilings are being installed. Soon we will finish off the electrics, lighting, install the windows and add all of the finishing touches.

Once the new gym area is completed and the new kit installed, we will be inviting our supporters to come in and test drive the main focal point of our transformation!

This new state-of-the-art area will also free up our existing gym to become an action packed class studio, which means we can also have a dedicated cycling studio too!

Our new steam sauna cabins are due to be installed early next month – bringing a real touch of luxury to the venue!

Thank you for your cooperation and patience over the last couple of months, it really has been appreciated. All works are on schedule for a mid-February finish. So please share our excitement and continue to bear with us, as we promise that it is all going to be worth it!

Are you ready to get active? Enjoy a swim, workout, class or activity in our brilliant and improved surroundings! For more information give us a call on 01522 873607 or pop in for a chat and a look around.

The post £1million Redevelopment Is On The Home Straight appeared first on Active Nation.

Active Nation’s Green Bank Leisure Centre in South Derbyshire has been hailed as ‘an inspirational facility’ following a brilliant £600,000 revamp.

The ‘dynamic and vibrant centre’ in Swadlincote has proven to be a massive hit with Supporters who have already been using the venue.

As well as a new 30-cycle spin studio, extra gym space has been created and there has been an upgrade of the fitness changing area. A new sauna is situated at the side of the swimming pools and there is a modernised café, reception, crèche and meeting room.

All of the new and improved facilities impressed representatives from partners and investors including Sport England, Derbyshire Sport  and Active Nation – which manages the Civic Way site on behalf of South Derbyshire District Council – at the official opening this week.

South Derbyshire District Council’s vice-chairman Cllr Neil Atkin cut the ribbon at the Civic Way site, with Active Nation’s managing director John Oxley.

John said: “To find ourselves here after this inspirational project makes me very proud.

“I’m delighted that, despite the challenges we’ve had during construction, we have a dynamic, vibrant facility that’s already exceeding the expectations of people who have been Supporters a very long time, and I know we will attract many more in the weeks, months and years to come.”

The completed project marks a milestone in the district council’s ongoing efforts to harness the spirit of the London 2012 Olympics and this year’s Commonwealth Games, by creating top sporting facilities for residents.

Cllr Jim Hewlett, chairman of housing and community services at South Derbyshire District Council, added: “I’d like to say a very big thank you indeed to all of our investors, without whose collective vision and belief the project could not have gone ahead. “We have an incredibly well-finished project which has delivered excellent value for money.

“It’s been a project that will not only please old Supporters but attract a whole set of new ones.”

Wanting to get active in South Derbyshire? Why not pop in for a look around and see how we can help! For more information give us a call on 01283 216269.

The post Time To Get Active At State-Of-The-Art Green Bank Leisure Centre Following Revamp appeared first on Active Nation.

Have you heard the news? We’ve got some big plans for All Seasons Leisure Centre!

Thanks to your continued support, over the next few weeks you’re going to notice some exciting changes happening!

We will be putting your donations to good use by transforming the Gym with a £150,000 major refurbishment programme.

The improvement works will include:

• Replacing all of our cardio equipment with new machines, that means new bikes, cross trainers and treadmills.
• A new layout, to help zone your workout better.
• Complete redecoration to make you more inspired by your surroundings.

It’s going to be brilliant!

It’s great news for exercise fans as we will be housing some of the very latest Precor equipment that’s going to help you get more from your workout. Such as the Adaptive Motion Trainer, which lets you change your workout at will just by moving naturally, you can go from short to long strides, walking to running and climbing to lunging! Now that’s a clever bit of kit!

Whilst the development is taking place, we will be moving the gym to a temporary space in the Practice Hall, which means that you don’t have to have any interruption to your routine. No excuses!

Works will commence on Friday 30th November 2012, with the new Gym environment scheduled for launch in late December.

For more details speak to our exercise coaches next time you’re in, they’re always on hand to help!

The post We’ve Got Some Big Plans For All Seasons! appeared first on Active Nation.

How about this for some good news!

Thanks to your continued support, over the next few weeks you’re going to notice some exciting changes happening at Yarborough Leisure Centre. We’ve got some big plans!

We will be putting your donations to good use by transforming the Gym with a £150,000 refurbishment programme. It’s going to be brilliant!

The improvement works will include:

• Replacing all of our cardio equipment with new machines, that means new bikes, cross trainers and treadmills.
• A new layout, to make sure there is more space for the free weights area, a different layout for our cardio kit, plus an improved zone for your core workout.
• Complete redecoration so that you feel a bit more comfortable in your surroundings.

It’s going to look great!

Plus, it’s good news for exercise fans as we will be housing some of the very latest Precor equipment with improved and increased functionality, meaning you can get more from your workout.

Whilst this exciting development takes place, we will be moving the gym to a temporary space in the Exercise Studio, which means that you don’t have to have any interruption to your routine. Temporarily, our classes will be relocated downstairs in the Squash Courts.

Works will commence on Friday 23^rd November 2012, with the new Gym environment scheduled for launch on 14^th December 2012.

For more details speak to our exercise coaches next time you’re in, they’re always on hand to help!

The post Have You Heard Our Exciting News? appeared first on Active Nation.