The Eastern Leisure Centre in Cardiff had more than 250,000 users last year, but was in urgent need of modernisation.

A £6.5m makeover aimed to shatter old stereotypes about council leisure centres, and offer something that resembled a private fitness club. It’s been a bold financial move that’s paid healthy dividends for the local community.

Olympic standard
It was envisaged that the refit would encourage more people to use the facility, which now includes dedicated spin class spaces, a dance studio, improved changing facilities, a five-lane swimming pool and a fitness zone that’s one of the biggest and best-equipped in the city. The equipment in the gym is the same as that used in Olympic training venues.
Councillor Peter Bradbury, cabinet member for community development, cooperatives and social enterprise told Health Club Management: “The modernisation of Eastern Leisure Centre has enjoyed strong support from both the community and elected councillors, so this multi-million-pound investment is welcome news.”

A spokesperson for Active Cardiff said, “We’re smashing apart the misconception that council-run leisure venues are somehow less well-equipped, or less prestigious, than those run by private enterprises.”

Fine flooring
The now refurbished 1600sq m leisure centre also includes an open reception area, along with a gym and soft play facilities. The project was also a perfect fit for international flooring and interiors specialist Gerflor.

Its high-end products Taralay Impression Control and Taraflex® Sport M Performance were specified in the original tender document, and the company eventually provided these to the appointed installers – Cardiff-based Puma Floors.

The Taralay Impression Control range was the winner of the 2016 CFJ/CFA product of the year category. A multi-purpose floor covering available in 2m sheet format with a Group T wear rating, it’s designed to withstand heavy traffic and provide slip resistance.

The centre, which has high levels of sports and leisure traffic, also needed a top-performing sports floor to meet the rigorous demands placed on it. Taraflex® vinyl sports flooring from Gerflor had been used in many international and local sporting events and was the perfect solution.

Matthew Graves, commercial director of Puma Floors, said: “We’d definitely specify Gerflor products again and we know the refurbished building will be used and enjoyed by the community for years to come”.