STATE-OF-THE-ART SPORTS & ACTIVITY CENTRE REOPENS ITS DOORS IN BIDSTON
RESIDENTS WELCOMED ‘ BACK TO THE PROM ’
IN BRIEF
STATE-OF-THE-ART SPORTS & ACTIVITY CENTRE REOPENS ITS DOORS IN BIDSTON
RESIDENTS WELCOMED ‘ BACK TO THE PROM ’
After temporarily closing in March 2022 , Bidston Sports and Activity Centre ( formerly Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre ) has undergone a transformation and now offers Wirral residents and visitors access to a brand-new gym , immersive studio , active zone and cafés .
Officially opening the new-look facility , to mark National Fitness Day ( 20 September ), Mayor of Wirral , Cllr Jerry Williams , said : " Investing in sports and leisure is vital not only for the health and fitness of our communities but also for mental wellbeing and reducing isolation – as a runner of 42 years I fully appreciate this ."
The new and improved centre now offers people of all ages something to help keep them active and healthy , while the cafés give people the option to socialise and make friends before and after exercise . The centre boasts a brand new high-specification gym with free weights area and access to the interactive TRAKK app , allowing users to track their workouts and progress .
Additionally , an immersive fitness studio with a floor-to-ceiling screen offers bicycle-led fitness classes – brought to you by international fitness group Les Mills and Invigor8 ’ s fitness instructors . The Active Zone allows younger visitors to blow off some steam with a vibrant soft play area for for those aged seven and under , and a state-of-theart ‘ Tag Active ’ area for over-eights to have fun while keeping active , testing their agility while competing with friends . This is the only Tag Active experience of its kind in Wirral and is available to hire for birthday parties . The centre has two new cafes in the lobby and Active Zone . Open to Active Wirral customers and the general public , they offer a wide variety of fresh meals , snacks and drinks making it the perfect place for visitors to catch up with friends while entertaining their children or recharging their batteries after a workout .
One of the centre ' s two cafes , this one in the Active Zone , offers gymgoers and families a wide variety of fresh meals , snacks and drinks .
The redevelopment works were agreed by the Tourism , Communities , Culture and Leisure Committee in June 2022 and funded by the Council ’ s Capital Programme .
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The Old Baths site in West Kirby proved to be the perfect stage for community events as the space was officially relaunched following its rejuvenation as part of the West Kirby Flood Wall project .
The sunshine helped bring out the crowds , with an estimated 2,000 people visiting the waterfront space to enjoy the performances or take part in activities during the day , which included live music , drama and a range of exercise and wellbeing sessions .
Cllr Liz Grey , Chair of the Environment , Climate Emergency and Transport Committee for Wirral Council , said : " We hoped that the ‘ Back to the Prom ’ event would showcase how the Old Baths site could be used for different activities that complemented its wonderful setting . And it is clear from the atmosphere on the day , and the feedback we have received , that there is a real appetite for more planned activities which will make it a real asset for the local community ."
One local resident complemented the event , writing : May I thank you for the splendid back to the prom day yesterday . It was such a pleasure to be able to enjoy all the events in such a delightful setting . I am hoping and looking forward to many more . As a local resident I have watched the activities for the flood alleviation scheme with interest and it is a joy to see the promenade come to life and particularly for the old baths area looking so spectacular and being enjoyed by so many people , old and young alike . Once again many thanks for organising the wonderful event .
Several of the groups who performed at the event also posted positive comments on their facebook pages , with Liverpool and Wirral Rock Choir writing : What a stunner of a day on West Kirby promenade yesterday , singing for the Back to the Prom launch ! Thanks to everyone who came down …
Hillbark Players , who performed ‘ Shakespeare by the Sea ’, posted : What a beautiful afternoon spent reliving some of our favourite Hillbark memories and exploring some new pieces on the promenade in West Kirby .
Community groups and other organisations are now invited to come forward with their ideas for how they might use the space in future . Further information , including guidance on organising an event in Wirral and a link to submit an Event Notification Form , is available on the Wirral Council website .