A CARDIFF leisure centre which has undergone a £6.5m upgrade has been officially opened.
Active Eastern, Llanrumney
Councillor Georgina Phillips, the deputy Lord Mayor opened the Active Eastern centre (formerly Eastern Leisure Centre) on Llanrumney Avenue in a ceremony attended by staff, local school children, councillors and Rio Paralympian Jordan Howe.
Deputy Lord Mayor Phillips (left) unveiled the plaque, with local schoolchildren and Jordan Howe (right)
John Donovan, the Corporate Sales Manager for Active Eastern, said: “The doors have been open since the beginning of August and loads of local residents have come in with happy faces on them. We think people will be pleased by the new facilities and we hope to see a lot of them around.”
The centre, which catered for 250,000 people a year, closed in February 2014 for renovations, and unofficially reopened on 19th August 2016.
Now the gym boasts high-tech training equipment described as ‘fit for an Olympian’, a five-lane swimming pool, classes in yoga, Pilates and spin and a new soft play facility.
The commemorative plaque
The five lane swimming pool
The Deputy Lord Mayor said: “On behalf of the city of Cardiff CounciI, we would like to extend a very warm welcome to this Active Eastern Facility.
“Our £6.5m investment into the redevelopment of the centre demonstrates our commitment to allowing our citizens to enjoy their leisure time and improve their health and wellbeing. This facility marks a significant step in achieving a world class quality of life in the capital city.
“I know the team are particularly proud of the strength and functional fitness zone located here on the ground floor, which is one of the best equipped gyms in Cardiff. There truly is something for everyone, which you’ll witness as you wander around the building, taking in the refurbished pool, the new spin room and some fantastically fun soft play facilities.
Up to 100 people use the spin classes every day, spread over four sessions
“Ultimately, this is a facility for the people, and we hope to see as many of you coming through the doors on a regular basis as possible.
“It now gives me great pleasure to reveal a commemorative plaque and declare this Active Eastern Facility officially open!”
Tony Smith, Manager of Active Eastern, said: “How lucky am I to be the manager of this fantastic new facility? I still walk around and think how amazing it is compared to the old Eastern. We’ve done quite a few show arounds already and the feedback has been amazing.
“We showed someone around the larger area upstairs on Monday and she was actually jumping up and down on the floor saying this is amazing.”
The facilities even support phone apps to help you train
