Kent leisure centre revamp driven by demand for group exercise

Larkfield Leisure Centre is being redeveloped to include three new studios to meet the growing demand for group exercise in the area.

The facility in Aylesford, Kent, is being extended to house two studios, with sprung floors and mixed lighting, and will offer members group exercise class programmes. The third studio will be dedicated to group cycling.

The £1m (US$1.3m, €1.1m) redevelopment will also see the gym extended by 1,200sq ft (111sq m) to feature new cardiovascular and resistance equipment, a bigger functional training rig, and an expanded freeweights area.

Research carried out by Leisure Database on behalf of leisure trust tmactive, which operates the centre on behalf of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, found a latent demand for health and fitness facilities in the area.

Martin Guyton, chief executive of tmactive, said that number of people going to Larkfield for group exercise classes is growing year on year. “The redevelopment will allow us to accommodate even more users from the local community with an even wider range of group exercise classes,” he said.

tmactive anticipates increased memberships from the revamp will add £125,000 (US$166,380, €142,850) of revenue in year one, maturing to £225,000 (US$299,480, €257,120) by year three.

Alliance Leisure Services has been appointed as tmactive’s development partner for the project, with the studios and new gym being designed by architects Saunders Boston.

All three studios are set to be completed by May 2018, with the centre remaining open during the work.

As reported by Health Club Management this week, the latest research shows that working out in a group lowers stress by 26 per cent and significantly improves quality of life.