New leisure centre opens April 4 (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

New leisure centre opens April 4

AS THE final touches to the new Cotswold Leisure Centre are completed, staff at the multi-million pound facility are looking forward to bringing state-of-the art fitness to the Cotswolds.

With the grand opening set to take place on April 4, the finishing touches to the new centre are being completed.

Jamie Nesbit, group manager for leisure, said staff were relishing the opportunity of introducing people to the new equipment.

He said: "Everyone is really excited. As well as customers, staff will be highly motivated and very enthusiastic. It's one thing having the new centre but it's another having the service.

"We have got good staff - that's is why the old building carried on so long."

As well as a 25-metre six-lane pool, three squash courts and a six-court sports hall, one of the focal points of the new centre is the gym.

Using state-of-the-art equipment - the same as that used by Formula One driver Michael Schumacher - staff hope the gym will appeal to fitness fanatics and first-time visitors alike.

Jamie explained: "We have created two areas, a quiet area at the far end - where we might have beginners classes or ladies only sessions or corporate events. Staff can take people up there where it's a little bit more friendly.

"There's a lot of technology and some people might think it's a bit much but it makes life so much easier - you just pop your key in to a piece of equipment and off you go on a programmed exercise.

"We can even put a lock on it so you can't do anything different, so if you are a GP referral or out of condition there is no way you can do more than what has been set.

"We've gone away from having to lose weight, it's all about how you feel. People have to get into the idea that exercise makes you feel better.

See next week's Standard for a picture preview of the inside of new centre.