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A special opening has been planned to celebrate the completion of the renovation programme by Fusion Lifestyle, a registered charity that has taken over running the centre on behalf of the City of London Corporation. 

 

Reverend Martin Dudley, Chairman of the Community and Children's Services Committee said: “Unveiling the new facilities and the refurbished pool is a fantastic achievement.  The plans executed by Cartwright Pickard, Architects have given us a wonderful extension to the Grade II Listed buildings, originally designed by Chamberlain, Powell, and Bon, and we’re looking forward to seeing greater use of the centre with the new activities being introduced by Fusion. 

 

“The project has seen a significant investment for Golden Lane Estate and involved a lot of time and effort from the community as well the construction team”. 

 

The 38 station gym is equipped with the latest treadmills and static cycles featuring built-in screens and i-pod docks; it also has a separate free weights area.  

 

A raft of new classes is being introduced including Zumba, Aqua, Circuits and lots more as a flavour of things to come. The sports hall will be back in action and, as well as badminton, will feature dodgeball, short mat bowls and table tennis. Yoga and pilates classes are also planned in the new studio. 

 

All the activities and day to day maintenance of the centre will be managed by Fusion, which specialises in community health and fitness, sport and active leisure services. Jonathan Acott, manager of the centre explains: "We have a professional team of fitness instructors and all the necessary supporting services to run leisure and sports activities in partnership with the local authorities. Our vision is to be the first choice leisure organisation, delivering a new standard in healthy active leisure”. 

 

To achieve these goals Fusion aims to provide services that are the very best available - and to make them accessible to everyone at a price that they are willing and able to pay.

 

Employing approximately 2,250 people across 60 sites, Fusion has a strong track record and, as a bona fide registered charity, and profits are reinvested in the facilities it manages, in staff training and development programmes, rather than benefiting shareholders.

 

Carolyn Piper, is one of the original team from before the centre closed for refurbishment and has watched with interest as the project has unfurled.

 

Now heading up the sports development team at the new centre Carolyn said: “Our local youngsters are really keen to get back in the pool”. Chloe Clarke-Mekeuer, aged 9, from a local primary school said: “I can’t wait to swim at Golden Lane again. I did swimming lessons and gymnastics and really missed them. All my friends at school want to join in too".

 

Pat Toon a local resident is also looking forward to getting back in the pool: “I used to swim there regularly and have really missed it”.

 

Swim school enrolment has now started for all age groups and for all levels of ability in the 20 metre, six lane pool. Carolyne said: “Everyone is looking forward to starting the new classes, there’ll be adult swimming lessons as well as those for the youngsters". 

 

Alongside the sports hall and studio, Fusion will also run the two outdoor courts for tennis, netball, children’s 5-aside football and short tennis. There will also be 30 minute power classes before work and at lunchtimes. 

Joy Hollister, Director of Community and Children's Services said: "It’s good to see such a vibrant new energy at the Golden Lane Sport and Fitness and I’m looking forward to putting in a few lengths for the annual City Dip sponsored swim in September in aid of the Lord Mayors Charity Appeal.  I hope to see many more swimmers join me this year". 

 

Corporation of London residents will be able to take advantage of a special resident membership rate of £39 a month enabling them to use all the facilities and classes, a saving of £17 a month on the non resident £56 a month rate. There is also an off peak membership offer exclusive to residents of Golden Lane, Mansell Street and Middlesex Street Estates which is just £15 per month.  Alternatively, anyone can also use the centre on a “pay as you go” basis for classes, the gym or swimming.