Fun family fitness is the inspiration behind Bolsover’s brand new health centre – Go! Active – which officially opened in January. The Derbyshire-based pool and spa complex boasts a 25m swimming pool, a children’s pool, complete with a flume ride as well as a thermal spa suite which includes a steam room, sauna, ice fountain and rain shower. Go! Active itself to the local community with an open day on the 28th January 2017, with both Pulse Design & Build, the dedicated construction arm of the Pulse Group, and Bolsover District Council aiming to attract visitors to the family-oriented facility.
OPEN DAY : The open day enticed over 6,000 people with overwhelming support, and the centre already provides a range of activities for over 5,500 members. “Based on the first few months operating figures, Pulse are expecting in-excess of 400,000 visitors per year,” commented Bolsover Council’s Assistant Director of Leisure, Lee Hickin, who is pleased by the results of the venture; compared to the 700 members that they previously had. Pulse’s Executive Director, Matt Johnson, suggests that the success of the new site – in the village of Clowne – can be summed up by the flexibility and professionalism of staff, all of whom have been fully trained as pool plant operators. “It’s one of the few facilities in the area that offers public swimming up to 5pm on a Sunday. Some of the best swimming instructors in the region work at the facility and take their role in educating participants on water safety and swimming techniques very seriously,” he said.
FLUME FUN : “The public has the chance to swim throughout the day, even when school swimming and lessons are taking place, which gives people more opportunity to exercise and swim at their convenience. “This is one of the few facilities in the area that can offer a flume that does not impact upon the swimming pool timetable, as it is all self-contained.” The logical layout and support of fully trained staff also makes pool maintenance simpler. The in-house upkeep of facilities is aided by a hyprolyser, the electro-chlorination system that generates sodium hypochlorite on site as the main chlorine donor, with a CO2 pH correction. Despite the emphasis on the latest technology that keeps Go! Active running, Lee Hickin explains how the centres family-based ethos is just as vital for the business as well as local customers. He cites the 365 membership scheme, which provides up to six residents from one address fully inclusive access to the centre for just £365 for the entire year.
FAMILY FUN : “The ethos behind it is for families to enjoy exercising together,” says Lee. “Facilities and activities are provided for all levels of fitness and all ages. Discovery Duckling swimming lessons are available for babies aged 0-24 months, and an 80-year-old member takes part in the Social Activity Hub. “The 365 Membership offer offers households the chance to swim together and enjoy the pools at their leisure.” For members, whether they are swimming, enjoying aqua classes, or simply unwinding in the spa, the aesthetics of the centre are designed to be welcoming and relaxing. “The design of the deck level pool and the fully coloured glass external pool wall has been a big ‘talking point’ amongst customers, as it has created a stunning visual effect as the colours bounce off the water and the white pool hall walls,” explains Pulse’s Executive Director, Matt Johnson.
“Every member of staff is encouraged to bring forward ideas and have their say in how the facility is operated,” he continues. “Pulse is also looking at staging events in association with local schools and our School Sports Partnership supports people in any training for specific events. “The England Phase 1 camps will be hosted at the centre in September, October and November this year. This will see the promising young swimming talent (around 13 years old) of the future using the pool for training and education sessions.” With Derbyshire’s previous history of local swimming superstars including Olympic Gold medallist, Rebecca Adlington, there is plenty to aspire too; and the move has already had a positive impact on youngsters looking to take up swimming, with lesson attendance up by 60% since moving from Creswell Leisure Centre. With Pulse’s high aspirations and Bolsover District Councils aims to provide vastly improved facilities across the region, many will be hoping that Go! Active becomes the flagship pool and sauna complex, with the family fitness theme becoming the blueprint for other facilities across the district.
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