A popular leisure centre in Wirral has reopened its doors on National Fitness Day (20 September), following £2.7 million of improvements and upgrades to its facilities.
Bidston Sports and Activity Centre (formerly Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre) has undergone a transformation and will now provide Wirral residents and visitors with access to a brand-new gym, immersive studio, active zone, and cafés after closing in March 2022.
Officially opening the new-look facility, the Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Jerry Williams, said:
“Investing in sports and leisure is vital not only for the health and fitness of our communities but also for mental wellbeing and reducing isolation – as a runner of 42 years I fully appreciate this.
“The new and improved centre now offers people of all ages something to help keep them active and healthy, while the cafés give people the option to socialise and make friends before and after exercise.
“Starting and maintaining an exercise habit has been transformative in my life and thanks to facilities like the Bidston site, it will be even easier for many of our residents to get moving too.”
The facility includes a brand new high-tech gym with a free weights area and access to the interactive TRAKK app, which allows users to track their workouts and progress.
In addition, an immersive fitness studio with a floor-to-ceiling screen will offer bicycle-led fitness classes led by international fitness group Les Mills and fitness instructors from Invigor8.
With a vibrant under-7s soft play area for little ones and a state-of-the-art ‘Tag Active’ area for over-8s to have fun while staying active, testing their agility while competing with friends, the Active Zone will allow younger visitors to let off some steam. This is Wirral’s only Tag Active experience of its kind, and it is available for birthday parties.
The lobby and Active Zone now have two new cafes. They are open to both Active Wirral customers and the general public and serve a wide range of fresh meals, snacks, and drinks, making it the ideal place for visitors to catch up with friends while entertaining their children or recharging their batteries after a workout.
The Tourism, Communities, Culture, and Leisure Committee approved the redevelopment works in June 2022, and the council’s Capital Programme funded them.
The centre’s 7-a-side outdoor football pitches have also reopened, with 5-a-side pitches set to reopen for hire later this autumn after essential maintenance work is completed. Winter bookings are now being accepted. The Football Foundation and the Council will also fund the construction of a second full-size, all-weather pitch at Bidston. The new pitch is set to open in early 2024, meeting the growing demand for football facilities in Wirral.
An innovative partnership between the Council, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), Cheshire LTA, and local tennis operator Play Point Sports manages the indoor tennis courts, which reopened last year.
More information and booking links for all activities can be accessed here.
Join Invigor8 and gain access to Bidston’s Sport and Activity Centre, as well as all Wirral Leisure centres, gyms, pools, exercise classes, golf, tennis, and other activities. View Invigor8 membership options here.
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