A POPULAR LEISURE reopened on Saturday, heralding a new era for its customers.

Stroud District Council now runs Active Lifestyles Stroud (formerly Stratford Park Leisure Centre) as it does Active Lifestyles Dursley (formerly The Pulse).

It is part of a £2.7million investment over five years to repair and improve the centre, which was built in 1975.

Initially SDC will be upgrading the fundamentals including brickwork repairs, roofing, decoration, doors, flooring, air conditioning upgrades, lighting, and the external toilet block.

One of the biggest current changes is a new café – Stratford Perk.

SDC community services and licensing committee chair, councillor Beki Aldam, said: “We’ve given it more than just a lick of paint and new furniture.

"It will be open to all, serving a new menu packed with healthy, locally sourced food. ” 

“Homemade cakes and treats will also be on offer alongside barista-style coffees and a range of teas.

“These are the first steps on an ambitious programme to secure and future-proof the provision of leisure and wellbeing services in our district."

The investment also includes work on the 88-year-old Lido at Stratford Park including repairing the Lido ‘tank’ and replacing the pumps and plant.

It is also planned to use excess energy from the newly installed leisure centre air source heat pump system to increase the Lido temperature by an estimated three to five degrees centigrade.

SDC head of community services Ange Gillingham said: “These changes are about more than new colours and a logo.

"This is about putting our communities at the heart of everything we do and really helping to make a difference to your health and wellbeing. Going forward, you aren’t a member of the centre in Dursley or Stroud.

"You are a member of Active Lifestyles Stroud District, and you can use either of our centres, our parks or our commons and woods to do this.

"Over time, we hope to expand our activities programme to reflect this.

"We know not everyone is a ‘gym enthusiast’. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle looks different for each one of us.

"We want the service we provide to reflect that, and we are encouraging you to send us your thoughts and comments on what we are doing well and what we are doing less well.

"Sign up at ww.stroud.gov.uk/active to receive regular news and updates on all the changes we are making both now, and in the future.”