On Saturday 1st February, fitness fans in Enderby and surrounding areas were invited to an open day with former Strictly Come Dancing star Flavia Cacace-Mistry as Enderby Leisure and Golf Centre officially opened its doors following an extensive refurbishment of the facilities.
The leisure centre, which is managed in partnership with Blaby District Council, was celebrating completion of the second phase of refurbishments at the site including improvements to the swimming pool, swim changing facilities and a brand new cafe and reception area.
The Centre had remained open during the work which began in March 2019 at a cost of around £4.9m, providing high-quality and modernised facilities for the local community.
The free activity day saw the Centre open its gym doors, offering classes, fitness challenges and free swim sessions.
Special events included a ‘Zumbathon’ with the current Miss Leicestershire, Millie Richardson and sports hall activities ranging from a bouncy castle and badminton, through to karate, dodgeball and gymnastics. A roller disco rounded off the days planned activities.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star, professional dancer Flavia Cacace-Mistry, joined South Leicestershire M.P. Alberto Costa, Leader of Blaby District Council Cllr. Terry Richardson and Dan Hicks, Area Manager from Everyone Active for the official opening ceremony which took place at 1pm.
Everyone Active
Regional Manager
Dan Hicks began by welcoming everyone and saying that Everyone Active were delighted to be working with Blaby District Council and hoped that residents would benefit from the modernised centre for many years to come.
Rallying the assembled audience Alberto Costa joked that February 1st was an historic day with the entire nation up partying the previous evening celebrating the official opening of the Leisure Centre ……oh, and perhaps also Brexit!
The M.P. then went on to express thanks to local civic leaders including CEO of Blaby District Council Jane Toman, Council Leader Terry Richardson and his colleagues including Councillor Sharon Coe whose excellent political leadership had led to the Centre’s refurbishment.
His thanks also extended to Everyone Active Area Manager Dan Hicks and his team for seeing the joint project through to fruition.
Cllr. Richardson also spoke saying the refurbishment project had been a bit of a journey for Blaby District Council since several years ago the Council had a vision of providing better leisure facilities for the District.
This required the Council find professional partners with the expertise to run such a facility. Cllr. Richardson said he was grateful to Dan Hicks and the Everyone Active team.
Cllr. Richardson went on to say that Councillors have visions but it takes hard work and dedication by back-room council staff on a daily basis to make the visions ‘happen’.
For that reason he wished to dedicate the building – not to the Councillors – but to the team of officers behind them who made it happen.
It then fell to star guest Flavia to cut the ribbon and declare the refurbished centre officially open.
Following the opening ceremony, the star guest went on to perform a meet and greet, sign autographs and hold a ‘DanceHiit’ dance-infused fitness class in one of the centre’s refurbished studios.
Throughout the day the cafe area hosted stalls from local business and organisations and Leisure Centre staff were on hand to give guided tours around the refurbished facility and also sign up new members.
Over £4.9m has been invested by Blaby District Council to significantly improve the facilities at Enderby Leisure & Golf Centre and the Pavilion at Huncote.
Everyone Active (the trading name for Sports Leisure Management Ltd (SLM)) received a 10-year extension to its contract with Blaby District Council in April 2019 to manage the Council’s leisure facilities.
Some photos from the day
[Photos: Enderby EYE]