Three gyms in Northampton to shut for two days for replacement equipment to be installed as new operator takes over
Three gyms in Northampton will shut for two days to allow replacement equipment to be installed and centres to be cleaned, as a new operator takes over.
Everyone Active will take over from Trilogy as West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) leisure centre operator, meaning it will take over the running of Mounts Baths, Danes Camp Leisure Centre and Lings Forum Leisure Centre.
The contract begins on Wednesday April 1, so activities at the three centres will be paused on April 1 and Thursday April 2. Everyone Active says this is to allow staff to move in new and replacement equipment and ensure the centres are “clean, safe and welcoming”.
Gym-goers will need an Everyone Active membership to attend any of the three centres from Friday April 3, or they can use the centres on a pay-as-you-go basis.
According to Everyone Active, memberships will be price matched to the prices listed on the Trilogy website, for six months, with the exception of swimming lessons, which have been adjusted to reflect a 50-week programme rather than a 48-week programme.
Simon Fearn, Everyone Active’s regional contract manager, said: “Briefly pausing activities will allow us to make the preparations necessary to get activities up and running as soon as possible, as well as addressing any questions our customers may have.
“While we appreciate a two-day closure may prove a short-term issue, we are keen to ensure centres are clean, safe and welcoming and are up to the high standards our customers deserve.”
At Lings Forum, a nine-week project will see the gym extended into space occupied by dry change and offices. Everyone Active says this will increase the capacity to more than 120 stations.
While this work is carried out, a temporary gym will be set up in two of the six courts in the sports hall, however the temporary gym will not be available until Thursday April 9. Everyone Active says that due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, “there has been a delay in the transport of fitness equipment”, which will also affect equipment arrival times at Danes Camp.
The operator also says it is working hard to ensure a range of activities are on offer over the Easter weekend and are “committed to getting full activity programmes up and running as soon as possible”.
Everyone Active already runs Moulton Leisure Centre, Daventry Leisure Centre and Daventry Sports Park in partnership with WNC. As part of the new contract, a three-month project will start on Monday March 30 to install a soft play at Daventry Leisure Centre, replacing half of the sports hall, despite strong opposition from members who rely on the full-size hall.
Councillor James Petter, deputy leader at WNC, said: “Bringing all six sites under one contract opens the door to new opportunities for our communities, from modernised facilities to a broader, engaging range of activities.
“As with any large transition, there have been some handover issues along the way. The important point is that these are being worked through quickly with the incoming operator so that residents and users see the full benefit of the new partnership.”
Everyone Active is encouraging customers to visit the reception areas of the centres between 10am and 4pm during the two-day closures to speak to the team and set up new memberships.