HUNDREDS came together on Tuesday for a celebratory event to officially open the new Rivermead Leisure Centre.
The Mayor of Reading, Cllr Tony Page and GLL’s chief executive Peter Bundey were joined by Olympian and Team GB rower Rowan McKellar to unveil a plaque to mark the occasion.
Visitors were also treated to live performances from the Susan Pheby School of Dance, Thames Valley Pro Taekwon-Do and Nemesis Martial Arts and Fitness.
Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for leisure and culture, said: “It’s so fantastic to have it open, a huge amount of work has gone into this. There have been some stumbling blocks along the way, there was a delay in the admin needed for the pool, but I’m delighted that it hasn’t derailed the entire project.
“It has taken some seriously impressive creative problem solving from the council, GLL and Pellikaan to work out how to part-open this centre, and I’m so proud we have.”
She described the shows put on by the youngsters as ‘fantastic’.
After the main presentations, guests were taken on a tour of the complex, with some even taking part in a rowing machine challenge with Rowan.
The facility is made up of a six-court sports hall, 120-station gym with three studios, a soft play area and cafe.
The build was designed with a focus on accessibility and sustainability, and the council hopes it will benefit everyone in Reading. Rivermead is part of its leisure investment of more than £40 million, which has seen improvements at South Reading Leisure Centre and Meadway Sports Centre, as well as the new Palmer Park Leisure Centre and Stadium.
Craig Woodward, GLL’s partnership manager, said: “We are delighted to welcome the public in next Monday and encourage people to sign up for our free taster weekend, which coincides with GLL’s 30th birthday celebration. We know leisure centre users can’t wait to see inside.
“With an emphasis on accessibility and affordability, the new leisure complex will support the health and wellbeing of thousands of residents young and old – getting more people more active more often.”
The opening will be followed in summer 2024 by the two new swimming pools: a 25m, eight-lane competition pool and a teaching and diving pool, both with moveable floors. There will be more than 300 spectator seats, including 7 accessible wheelchair spaces, alongside splash pads for younger users.
