MONMOUTH’S leisure centre is on course to re-open on Wednesday 15th August.

The £7.4m project includes a children’s play centre, an open plan café, a multi-purpose room for parties and meetings, a health suite incorporating jacuzzi, steam room, relaxation areas, treatment room and sauna, a spin studio, toning suite, spacious changing rooms and a large gym with the latest market-leading equipment.  Meanwhile, the construction of the centre’s five lane swimming pool and spa is on schedule and both will open in December.

The centre closed for refurbishment in November 2017 and in the interim the staff have endeavoured to provide services with an adjacent temporary sports hall and a gymnasium near the town’s museum. The building of the new centre undertaken by global construction services company ISG incorporates part of the original site though the interior has changed considerably to accommodate a new entrance and reception area and many other improvements. These will increase choice, provide a safe and widely accessible customer-friendly environment and employ technology to offer an enhanced service. For example, a number of features ensure customers with disabilities are able to fully access the centre’s facilities. In addition, a self-service kiosk will allow customers to by-pass queues at reception and take the opportunity to leave feedback.

The indoor children’s play area for babies to 11-year-olds will be open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm. Set on three levels, the vibrantly coloured setting creates a fun and exciting zone. There is little provision of this kind within a 20 minute drive of Monmouth so the centre’s managers are looking forward to attracting parents and children into the town from a wide area.

The gymnasium will feature exciting, dynamic and innovative equipment meaning that new and existing customers will require an induction programme to use it. Meanwhile, the nearby toning suite will appeal to a range of people who prefer a gentler workout.

The two studios offering spin and dance classes can employ live or virtual instruction via a projector so that activities can take place at any time. Two squash courts on the ground floor will be close to the reception area and will feature LED lighting.

The centre will open from 6.15am to 10pm on Monday to Friday and 8.15am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Different types of membership will be available for various facilities and functions. Customers may enquire about these or any other matters at the reception desk, by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 01600 775135.

Parking may be restricted while work continues to complete the swimming pool and the nearby school. Customers are advised to use the town’s municipal car parks if space is unavailable.

County Councillor Bob Greenland, cabinet member with responsibility for leisure said: “We promised Monmouth an improved leisure centre and I’m delighted to say we can now deliver it.  We hope to attract many more new customers, not only from the town, but further afield to enjoy the variety of fantastic features that will help maintain people’s health and promote enjoyment for all.”