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Soft play facility and sports hall open in Bournemouth

Soft play facility and sports hall open in Bournemouth

BBC News09-04-2025

A "vibrant" new soft play facility and sports hall have officially opened at a leisure centre.BCP Council leader Millie Earl cut the ribbon at Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre in Bournemouth on Sunday with staff and children in attendance.More than £400,000 of government funding went towards upgrades at the centre. The sports hall will offer court hire for pickleball, badminton, basketball and netball.Other improvements include an extended café and function space, new heating and ventilation, and new ramps to enhance accessibility.
Ms Earl said: "This brilliant facility is going to provide a vibrant new environment for families to develop, socialise, and have fun."The improvements align with BCP Council's vision that play and leisure facilities should be high-quality, accessible and inclusive which is what we are delivering here in response to community feedback."
The soft play area is aimed at children aged from 18 months to 12 years.Richard Herrett, head of destination, leisure and commercial operations at the council, said: "I'm really pleased that the site is now open: this refurbishment demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre remains at the heart of the community long into the future."BCP Leisure expects the new refurbishments will see "thousands of additional participants take part in sports and activities each year". More than 2,000 people are currently enrolled on the centre's adult skills and learning courses, and 500 members of Bournemouth Elite Cheerleaders are based on the ground floor.
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