As the only 25m swimming pool within a five mile radius, Loddon Valley Leisure Centre in Reading plays an important role in providing leisure facilities to the town of Lower Earley, as well as the surrounding towns and villages.
With over 3,500 gym and swimming members, plus 1,650 children attending swimming lessons on a weekly basis, the centre is a busy hub for locals to enjoy the leisure opportunities on offer. As well as a fully equipped gym and a 25m six lane swimming, Loddon Valley also boasts a 12 x 8m teaching pool with children’s slide, plus an eight person spa, sauna and steam room. The pools are fully accessible for those with disabilities by means of a hoist and a pool pod.
“We welcome a broad clientele at Loddon Valley, from children, students, adults and the elderly to those undergoing rehabilitation,” comments contracts manager Tony Penge.
“The wide range of facilities on offer makes us stand out from our nearest competitors. The pool is used for various types of sessions – no other local competitor facilitates all the types of sessions we run. We also have a spa area, again, something which is not offered anywhere else locally.”
Loddon Valley’s swim offering includes a swimming lessons programme for all ages, aqua fit and swim aerobics sessions, NPLQ lifeguard courses, general swimming, plus pool parties and private hire events.
Tony adds: “We try to support the community as much as possible, and we regularly host fundraising events in the pool. This varies from small, local charity events up to national events such as the Swimathon and Aspire Channel Swim.
“We also run a disability swimming programme called Aiming High and we were delighted to receive Sportivate funding to run sessions specifically for single mums and their babies.”
The centre is run on a day-to-day basis by a dedicated team of 210 employees. Tony is supported in his role as contracts manager by acting general manager Rob Cunningham and operations manager Ryan Harrison. The swimming pool programme is headed up by Lesley Hersey, assisted by a 25-strong team of lifeguards.
Loddon Valley Leisure Centre
Tel. 0118 9312066
www.1life.co.uk
