Latest news with #GLL
BBC News
8 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Sands Centre's events season cancelled over ongoing roof works
A leisure venue's autumn and pantomime season will not go ahead after work to remove unsafe concrete in the auditorium roof was slowed by storm removal of approximately 200 tonnes of concrete at the Sands Centre, in Carlisle, got under way last year, but January's Storm Éowyn hit a temporary which manages the venue on behalf of Cumberland Council, said it was working with promoters to reschedule events which were due to be staged between 1 September and 31 is asking people not to contact the box office, adding its team would be in touch with all affected ticket holders in the coming weeks with "further details about their options". The events space has been shut since 2023 following a change in government guidance over the use of Raac, a type of concrete found to have safety council initially aimed to have the work completed by late spring, but now says it hopes to have it finished this winter, with the entertainment programme restarting early next leader Mark Fryer said the contractor appointed for the job had faced "several challenges", with the storm having had "a major impact on the completion of the necessary works".Alongside the removal of the concrete, the ventilation system will be upgraded, the lighting system enhanced and customer seating replaced, while changes will also be made to the back-of-house closure of the events space does not impact on the centre's swimming pools, gym, studios or sports hall. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
ITV News
9 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Carlisle's Sands Centre reopening delayed again
The reopening of the Sands Centre auditorium has been delayed until at least 2026 as the work to remove RAAC panels from the roof continues. Cumberland Council says the delay to the work is due to storm damage from earlier this year. The council had previously stated that work would be completed by spring 2025, but the events programme at the Sands Centre is now not expected to begin again until early 2026. Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: 'Our project team and contractor have had to face several challenges, and the storm in January had a major impact on the completion of the necessary works. The team worked tirelessly to deal with the storm damage. 'The Sands is the region's premier venue, and the investment in the new roof and the works planned for the auditorium will ensure it is the venue of choice for our residents and wider audiences." Following the temporary closure of the auditorium last year, GLL, who manage the venue on the council's behalf, moved their classical concert programme to the sports hall within the Sands. A Cumberland Council statement said: "The temporary closure of the events space to allow the works to be undertaken does not impact on the day-to-day running of the main leisure centre. "The new main Sands Centre building's leisure provision is unaffected, which includes the pools, gym, studios and sports hall."
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Cash boost for revamp of ex-Gateshead Council leisure centres
Four former council-run leisure centres are said to become more family friendly and accessible, following a programme of Dunston, and Heworth leisure centres, along with Gateshead International Stadium, were recently taken over by charitable social enterprise group has now allocated £750,000 to replace health and fitness equipment in the gyms at the four centres with state-of-the-art machines. It will also be working with the council to operate six community tennis courts, which the authority is currently refurbishing. GLL said it was putting in place measures to ensure its facilities were inclusive and accessible to everyone, and there would be specially designed equipment to support those with disabilities.A multi-sensory lighting system being introduced at Dunston Leisure Centre will cater to children with sensory processing needs. The existing underused squash courts at that site will become a multi-functional space for community activities, health programmes and school holiday clubs. Scott Holmes, from GLL, said: "Our overarching aim is to improve the health and happiness of communities by investing in facilities and encouraging participation in activities."We will continue to work in partnership with Gateshead Council to introduce additional community-led programmes." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lincoln leisure centres expected to fully reopen in mid-July
Two Lincoln leisure centre which closed suddenly last month are expected to fully reopen by mid-July, a council has and Birchwood leisure centres in Lincoln closed on 3 April after Active Nation, the charity that ran them, ceased of Lincoln Council, which owned the buildings, said it had now appointed charitable social enterprise Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) as the interim operator for both facilities for a period of two operated more than 250 leisure centres in partnership with local authorities around the country, including in neighbouring North Kesteven. 'Proven capability' Council leader Naomi Tweddle said: "We are extremely pleased to confirm the appointment of GLL as our interim operator of these vital leisure centres."Their experience and proven capability will be essential in getting both Yarborough and Birchwood Leisure Centres back up and running for the community."Ms Tweddle also praised the Lincoln City Foundation - the charitable arm of Lincoln City Football Club - for "stepping in" to run outdoor facilities at both sites a week after the closures, as well as thanking residents for their patience "while we got this matter sorted". Chris Hebblewhite, director of standards and compliance at GLL, said they were working to reopen the facilities "as quickly and safely as we can"."We'll be reaching out to customers this summer providing further details on programmes, memberships and the lessons and courses that will be available," he said work would also be taking place to replace gym equipment and the "look" of the facilities, with job opportunities in fitness, customer services, lifeguarding and the time of the closures, Active Nation, a charity based in Warwickshire, blamed "the ongoing utility crisis and the challenges it has created" for the decision to cease council said it had offered the charity a support package of almost £500,000 over two years, with conditions attached, but this had not been taken up. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Royal Navy families offered free swimming lessons in Cornwall
Royal Navy families in Cornwall are being offered free swimming lessons after an initiative was 22 May up to 60 children aged four to 16 from serving naval families will be offered lessons at Helston Sports said the lessons, provided by Swim Free Cornwall, will be delivered by qualified instructors and align with the Swim England Learn to Swim Atherton, development project manager at Swim Free, said the expanded scheme meant "even more children have the chance to learn vital, life-saving skills in a safe and supportive environment". "We're delighted to be expanding Swim Free to Cornwall and launching this new partnership with [leisure centre operator] GLL," he said."Providing free swimming lessons to young people from serving naval families is at the heart of our mission to build confidence, life skills, and connection through water."The free swimming lessons are available to book on the Swim Free website.
