FUSION LIFESTYLE INVESTS MILLIONS IN SOMERSET LEISURE FACILITIES

Frome Sport and Fitness has reopened its doors to local residents following a multi-million pound investment by Fusion Lifestyle. The £2 million project is part of a long term lease and Concession Contract with Mendip District Council.

At the start of 2014, the five leisure facilities in the council’s estate required an annual subsidy of more than £850,000. The facilities were facing combined backlog and urgent lifecycle maintenance liabilities of £5 million.

Following a competitive Invitation To Tender, Fusion Lifestyle was appointed as the official partner to the council and in June 2015, the UK’s leading registered leisure charity entered into a 50 year, full repairing lease for each of the five facilities; Frome Sport and Fitness, Wells Sport & Fitness, Shepton Mallet Lido, Tor Leisure Centre and Strode Swimming and Fitness.

Since the start of the partnership, the Council’s subsidy has already been significantly reduced and will be completely eradicated by 2020.

Speaking about the partnership, Penny Arnold, Commercial and Operations Director at Fusion Lifestyle, comments: “Our capital investment in Somerset has totalled £3 million across three of the five leisure facilities. In addition to the recent works at Frome Fitness and Sport, Wells Sport & Fitness has benefited from a £1 million refurbishment, completed in March 2016 and a £100,000 improvement project is currently underway at Shepton Mallet Lido.

“These investments reflect Fusion Lifestyle’s commitment to the provision of inclusive access to sports and fitness which benefit the entire community and ensure the local population will enjoy a quality leisure provision for many years to come. ”

The renovations at Frome Sport and Fitness, nestled in the heart of the Somerset town, includes: relocation of the fitness suite, a dedicated soft play facility, expanded studio space, refurbished changing areas and an improved reception space. The fitness studio now houses more than 70 of the latest Life Fitness cardiovascular and resistance stations, along with a large free weights and personal training space. Two new studios have been created, offering an array of classes from yoga to INSANITY, and a dedicated indoor cycle studio accommodates 22 Life Fitness ‘Life Cycle GX’ bikes.

The pool and changing areas have been completely refurbished and a large soft play area has been incorporated to offer the 0-8 year olds a fun, intriguing space to explore and enjoy.

The two existing squash courts, sports hall and AstroTurf – hosting hockey and football, complete the offering.

Commenting on the partnership, Cllr Philip Ham, Portfolio Holder for Transformation at Mendip District Council, says: “By allowing Fusion Lifestyle to take leases for our leisure facilities we have safeguarded the future of leisure across the district for many years to come.

“Not only have we secured a multi-million pound investment in leisure facilities across Mendip, the savings made by the council have freed up much-needed funds that can now be ploughed back into other frontline services.

“In these times of austerity, it is essential that the council takes bold decisions and finds innovative ways to do more for less. This project is the perfect example of the new ways of working that the council is exploring to benefit our residents.

“Fusion’s investment programme has already seen improvements made to leisure facilities across the district and I’m confident that local people will be delighted with their new-look leisure centres.”

For more information about Fusion Lifestyle visit: www.fusion-lifestyle.com