Open days to mark official launch of leisure trust

Archived press release

Date Published: 09/06/09

Two Aylesbury Vale leisure centres are throwing open their doors to free sports and leisure activities to mark a new era in their management.

This week the Aylesbury Vale Community Trust took over responsibility for the strategic management and development of Aqua Vale in Aylesbury and the Swan Pool in Buckingham.

To celebrate the official launch of the new trust, the leisure centres will be running free open days to give people of all ages the chance to try out some of the many activities they have to offer.

The first free event is at Aqua Vale on Saturday 13 June between 9am and 4.30pm when visitors can come along for a fun-filled day of health and fitness.

People aiming to get in shape for the summer can have a go at spin and pilates classes between 9am and 11am. Swimming taster sessions for the Swimlife programme will also be running between 12pm and 2pm.

There will be introductory sessions in the gym between 12pm and 2pm where qualified instructors will lead people through the range of fully accessible equipment, advising on its uses and benefits.

The winner of the competition to design a logo for the new trust will be announced at 12.30pm when there will also be a chance to meet the Trustees and see some of Buckinghamshire’s top swimmers in action.

Also during the day there’ll be charity spin classes outside the leisure centre to raise money for the Air Ambulance Trust and a bouncy castle to keep the young ones entertained.

The next free open day is at the Swan Pool on 20 June between 9.30am and 4.30pm. There’ll be body balance and body pump fitness classes in the morning, followed by diving, squash, racketball and swimming taster sessions in the afternoon.

Visitors will be able to try out as many activities as they like on both days, at no cost, and will be entered into a prize draw to win a month’s free membership and six weeks of swimming lessons.

The Community Trust is run by a board of trustees made up of district councillors and local residents. Although current operators Serco will continue with day-to-day operations until 2012 (when their current contract expires), the trustees will manage the development of the facilities and influence service improvements..

Miles Buckinghamshire, Chairman of the Aylesbury Vale Community Trust, is delighted that the transfer has now gone ahead. “We have two superb facilities and this move will help ensure that service and development at both will in the future be excellent,” he said.

“Residents and users will have a direct influence in the operation of the centres with faster decision making. The change in status also means that there are other funding and business opportunities that open themselves up – so all in all this is a good move all round both for residents and users of these centres.”

He added: “The open days provide a great opportunity for families and people of all ages to sample some of the huge variety of activities on offer at Aqua Vale and the Swan Pool – all for free. You could find a new hobby or the perfect activity to do over the summer.”

For more information on the open days, contact Aqua Vale on 01296 488555 or the Swan Pool on 01280 817500.

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