SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN COMMUNITY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SUPPORTED BY TARKA LEISURE CENTRE IN FIRST 12 MONTHS

£15m facility sees major increase in local community physical activity levels following its launch in June 2022

Thursday 3rd August, 2023 – In the first year since opening, Tarka Leisure Centre, operated by Parkwood Leisure in partnership with Lex Leisure, has seen a 98.3% increase in visitor numbers, recording over 400,000 visits in its first 12 months. 

The centre has also seen an 84% increase in health and fitness memberships as well as a 38% uplift in its swimming lesson programme – 1,500 swim lesson programme bookings alone have come in 2023.

The uptake in swimming lessons has had a significant impact in making a measurable difference to the quality of life of children in the local area, ensuring they’re able to be around water safely, in a coastal area, where water safety is vital.

The team has also invested heavily into the local workforce, funding 16 staff members to become swimming teachers and a further 10 staff members to become Good Boost facilitators.

The investment into Good Boost and the staff training has enabled Tarka Leisure Centre to become a musculoskeletal (MSK) hub, aiming to engage individuals with low mobility and MSK conditions in pool and class-based exercise in a supportive, enriching environment. The partnership with Good Boost is part of the commitment to be a key partner in supporting the health and wellbeing of the local community in Barnstaple.

The state-of-the-art facility was opened in June 2022 following a £15m investment that combined the town’s existing leisure facilities into one site, helping to improve access to a range of health and wellbeing services for the community.

As part of the development, the existing tennis centre, which already offered six indoor tennis courts, four outdoor courts and a full-size artificial grass football pitch, now also includes the new facilities: a 25m eight-lane competition swimming pool with a movable floor, a 20m four-lane learner pool, an impressive 110 station health and wellbeing gym with equipment supplied by Life Fitness, two multi-purpose group exercise studios plus indoor cycling studio, as well as a four badminton court-size sports hall. 

A large indoor soft play, outdoor play area and cafe, as well as the endless ski-slope complete the multi-million pound leisure facility. 

Glen Hall, Parkwood Leisure’s Managing Director, said:

“One year since launch, we’re delighted with the positive impact Tarka Leisure Centre has had on the local community in Barnstaple. It’s a truly state-of-the-art facility which provides opportunities for everyone to be active, and that’s reflected in our memberships, as we’ve seen a very even split of genders and age ranges.

We’re proud to provide a wide range of truly accessible services, with multiple disability-specific sessions and free health and wellbeing sessions for businesses within the local community.”

For more information on facilities, activities and services available at Tarka Leisure Centre visit the centre’s website: https://www.leisurecentre.com/tarka-leisure-centre 

–ENDS–