Happy Birthday Andover Leisure Centre!

If you were in Andover at the start of the month you might have noticed that someone was celebrating their fifth birthday with an orange and white balloon arch over the doorway, balloon towers and a host of fun activities to take part in such as face painting and soft play.

The new and improved Andover Leisure Centre officially opened to the public five years ago on April 1, 2019, after an £18 million upgrade to the previously tired and worn-out building.

Hampshire Chronicle: Balloon arch for Andover Leisure Centre's 5th Birthday

The gym offers a variety of high-quality facilities including squash courts, a "clip n’ climb area", a group cycling studio, multi-use sports’ hall and a large gym packed with the latest equipment with views out over the grassy area to the front. 

If that all sounds a bit energetic, you can also try out their 25-metre six-lane pool, or the sauna and steam room and, afterwards, recharge with a coffee or a freshly-made smoothie in their bright, welcoming café. 

The gym is operated by Places Leisure and their staff are professional and friendly - I booked onto their gym induction and over the course of an hour was shown how to use all the equipment and given handy tips about how to make the most out of my visit.

Although some locals were a bit disgruntled at first about the increased membership costs or that some of the previously included facilities were now chargeable, most people are delighted that Andover has its own state-of-the-art sports' facility within easy walking distance of the town centre, bus and train station.  

A local mum, emerged, rosy-cheeked, from the squash court with her 13 year old daughter, juggling rackets and balls and said: "I recently moved with my family to Andover and I love that as an adult member I can add my daughter on for only £3 a month so we both get fit and have some quality time together for what feels like really good value!" 

Want to get fit for summer?  Go and check it out (don’t worry you don’t need to take a birthday present!).

For more information click here. 

  • This article was written by Coralie Smith, from Peter Symonds College, as part of Newsquest's Young Reporter Scheme.