Athlone Regional Sports Centre has announced that their €2 million refurbishment works will commence early next month. This modern and vibrant refurbishment will see their gym extended to surround the swimming pool and at three times its current size will have a spacious and exciting new layout that will offer a more user friendly experience to all. Additionally there will be a new air conditioned Fitness Class Studio and a state-of-the-art Spinning Studio with air conditioning. Brand new Gym Changing rooms, a new crèche and meeting room, improved heating and ventilation in poolside changing areas as well as a new café layout will complete the project.
The Popular centre will be open as normal for the duration of these works and that is very important for the local Community according to Liam Cunningham General Manager of the centre.
"€2 Million is a very significant investment and is something we are proud to do for our members and customers. We have also taken measures to ensure that it’s business as usual at the centre; dividing the project into four phases will allow us to open up sections of the new build throughout 2014 and as the new Gym will be in an entirely different area of the building, we are glad to say that our current gym will be open for the duration of the refurbishment works. Our Fitness classes will also continue but we do have to move them offsite while the works are going ahead. Morning classes will move to the local Athlone GAA centre and evening classes will move to the Sports Hall in the Athlone Gaelscoil, both of which are in safe walking distance of the Centre. We would like to thank both Athlone GAA and the Gaelscoil for being so accommodating. Or pool area will be in the most part unaffected by the works."
With half the total investment coming from Athlone Town Council, Liam was also quick to point out the enormous support they have given to the project.
"The Sports Centre is owned by Athlone Town Council and as a Council they have huge demands on where they spend their monies. The members and staff of the Council are hugely supportive of the Centre and recognise the benefits it has given to the local community. An investment of €1 million shows how seriously the Council take the local communities general health and wellbeing. I would like to commend all the local councillors for their backing of the investment. Indeed three of the local Town Councillors Jim Henson, Gabrielle McFadden and Mark Cooney sit on the board of directors of Athlone Regional Sports Centre and have been the strongest of advocates for these refurbishments from day one and have played a very significant role in securing the €1 million contribution towards funding".
With works staring early next month, it follows on from recent investments by the Centre in energy conservation in 2012 and new gym and fitness class equipment in 2013. Indeed the centre are very keen to give their customers an even better experience when they come to use the facilities and have put significant thought into the design. Ger O Donoghue, Duty Manager explains that many of the design ideas came from feedback from the customers themselves.
"The demand for more gym equipment, upgrading and extending our gym changing rooms, the need for cooling in our fitness class studios and heating in our poolside corridor are all improvements customers have suggested and we are delighted that they feel so passionately about the facilities we offer. Additionally we have some great surprises and this is going to be an exciting facility to exercise in, it’s definitely going to have the WOW factor."
The staff are eager that all customers have access to information about the refurbishment and encourage customers to check with the centre that they have their up to date phone numbers and email addresses. Any members of the public interested in finding out more about the project and following progress over the coming months are invited to "Like and Share" the Sport Centres Facebook page www.facebook.com/AthloneRegionalSportsCentre or check out their website.
Charlie Naughton who runs the Swim for Life aquatics programme at the centre advises that the website www.athlonesportscentre.ie is fully up to date with information and encourages people to check out the "Frequently Asked Questions" section which will answer many queries.
Charlie said "we have taken care to put together some detailed information about the build so that our customers are well informed. There will also be internal information displays with daily updates as well as social media and mail shot updates. The end product is going to make the Regional Sports Centre a really modern and vibrant facility and an extremely enjoyable place to train in and keep active."
While keen to point out that it would be business as normal for the duration of the refurbishment Liam outlined his excitement for the project.
"Our mantra for the refurbishment is ‘We are doing it for you’ and we think this fits well as Athlone Regional Sports Centre is very much a fabric of the community and we want people to know that this €2 million investment is very much for the communities benefit. The new centre will have something for all ages and all abilities and will offer an amazing experience for individuals, groups, clubs and families. We are really excited that the end result will make us the most progressive, dynamic and accessible sports centre in the midlands."
For more info or to be included on a mailing list contact info@athlonesportscentre.ie or phone 090 6470975.