VIDEO: THE new Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub is almost ready to open its doors to the public and warrington-worldwide was on hand for a guided preview of the new state of the art facility.
Warrington Livewire Operations director Matthew Parker and Warrington Borough Councillor Anthony Higgins were the hosts and guides.
On entering the building the first thing that strikes you is how airy and light the space is and how open and welcoming it feels. The whole site has been designed to be dementia friendly incorporating colour schemes, signage and many other elements specifically made to enhance and aid visitors who suffer from the illness. As West Warrington has the towns highest aged population it will help the Hub to be as inclusive as possible. Working with Stirling University Warrington Livewire expect to become the countries first public facing specialist dementia friendly service, quite an achievement and a feather in the town’s cap.
The reception pods are to the side and will be manned by floor walking staff but for ease of use and convenience for users there are self service stations too where you can check in and use the online booking services. Instead of membership cards a stylish and modern biometric system will work on a members fingerprint recognition.
Also housed in the hall is a new 4000 book library where again a self service option is available but staff will be on hand to help and advise. Given the negative stories regarding library closures in the town it will be great news that Livewire have increased the amount of libraries in Warrington once again. As with other libraries in the town this branch will offer the very popular internet stations and also will be running classes in computer coding which have proven a great success recently at Padgate library.
Not yet completed there will be a food and drink provision with seating and tables.
Also on the ground floor is a new medical centre from where West Warrington working with Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group will provide various medical services starting in April this year. A pharmacy licence has been applied for and a new dispensary is planned for the next phase.
Opening on February 12th there will be three studios which will offer group exercises and classes. These include a fantastic double height studio and an excellent spinning studio. Again technology is utilised meaning that the centre can provide virtual classes as well as traditionally presented sessions.
The state of the art, 120 station gym is again a beautifully light and open space and offers everything a modern gymnasium can including warm up and down matted areas, free weights and all the latest machines which are all connected to the internet allowing individual access to social media, TV , radio etc.
To accommodate visitors the car park has been doubled in size.
A new luxury spa area is due to open in the next phase which will offer a “thermal journey” including Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and Turkish baths as well as treatments such as massage for a relaxing experience.
The pool area is still under refurbishment and when it opens in Autumn will have a much needed large teaching pool to help cater for the towns requirements as well as the standard pool. All new changing rooms are being fitted out.
The sports hall is also due to open in Autumn and will allow sports such as netball and basketball to be enjoyed by the public and the pupils of Great Sankey school. Already open and proving to be a great success are the full size 3g pitch and tennis courts. The 3g pitch means an end to cancelled games due to waterlogging as it provides an all weather playing surface.
Warrington Livewire Operations Director and tour guide Matthew Parker explained: “ The facility is opening to the public on the 12th of February with the classes beginning a week later. We have a special offer discounting membership to £25 per month which offers full access to all the sites facilities including tennis courts. There are child rates available too. We will be running tours of the new facility starting from the 7th of February and these will run from 10 am. So please, if you would like to see what is on offer or if you have any questions please come down and our staff will be on hand to help , advise and to show you around.”
6 Comments
This new hub looks great and probably was long overdue and what the community needs. I do hope we see other areas also given updates- I know Woolston and Orford have been developed some time ago but Broomfields is a disgrace. Pool and changing rooms are old and dirty and very outdated. Hope it can look like Sankey.
Totally agree with Frances’s comment…..this looks great but Broomfields is an utter disgrace. Lets hope its next in line for a revamp.
I agree with the above Broomfields next about time we had a decent leisure facility we can’t all afford private gym prices in South Warrington.
Broomfields next please about time we had a decent leisure facility we can’t all afford private gym prices in South Warrington.
Is it true that the changing rooms for pool area are communal, and young girls and teenagers are amongst men who changing cloths. I have heard it just to save money .
I think it’s a Changing Village, much the same as centre parts and places such as that where people go into individual cubicles to change.