A WIRRAL leisure centre has reopened its doors today (Wednesday, September 20) after a multi-million-pound transformation.

Bidston Sports and Activity Centre (formerly Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre) was closed in March last year for a £2.7million upgrade. It now features a brand-new gym, immersive studio, active zone and cafés.

Officially opening the new-look facility on National Fitness Day, Wirral's Mayor, 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.

Wirral Globe: • The Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral, Cllr Jerry Williams and Mrs Irene Williams - officially opening the centre• The Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral, Cllr Jerry Williams and Mrs Irene Williams - officially opening the centre (Image: Wirral Council)"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 centre also features a brand new high-specification gym with free weights area and access to the interactive TRAKK app, which allows users to track their workouts and progress.

Wirral Globe: Tag Active area for over 8s at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre Tag Active area for over 8s at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre (Image: Wirral Council)Additionally, an immersive fitness studio with a floor-to-ceiling screen will offer bicycle-led fitness classes – brought to you by international fitness group Les Mills and Invigor8’s fitness instructors.

Wirral Globe: Gym equipment with TRAKK app technology at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre Gym equipment with TRAKK app technology at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre (Image: Wirral Council)The Active Zone will allow younger visitors to blow off some steam 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 keeping active, testing their agility while competing with friends.

Wirral Globe: Younger visitors can explore the under 7s soft play area at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre Younger visitors can explore the under 7s soft play area at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre (Image: Wirral Council)Wirral Globe: This is believed to be the only Tag Active experience of its kind in Wirral and is available to hire for birthday parties.

The centre has two new cafes in the lobby and Active Zone. Open to Active Wirral customers and the general public, they offer a wide variety of fresh meals, snacks and drinks making it the perfect place for visitors to catch up with friends while entertaining their children or recharging their batteries after a workout.

Wirral Globe: Cafe in lobby at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre Cafe in lobby at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre (Image: Wirral Council)

Wirral Globe: • The centre boasts a brand new high-specification gym• The centre boasts a brand new high-specification gym (Image: Wirral Council)

The redevelopment works were agreed by the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee in June 2022 and funded by the council’s Capital Programme.* The centre’s 7-a-side outdoor football pitches have also reopened, with 5-a-side pitches due to reopen for hire later in the Autumn following the completion of essential maintenance work. Bookings for Winter are now being taken. Work on a second full size, all-weather pitch at Bidston is also set to start with funding from the Football Foundation and the Council.

The new pitch is expected to open early in 2024 and will support the growing demand for football facilities in Wirral.

Indoor tennis courts, which reopened last year, are being managed by an innovative partnership between the Council, Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), Cheshire LTA and local tennis operator, Play Point Sports. More information and booking links for all activities can be accessed here: https://activewirral.com/invigor8-centres/bidston-sports-and-activity-centre/.

Become an Invigor8 member and enjoy access to Bidston’s Sport and Activity Centre, along with all Wirral Leisure centres; gyms, pools, exercise classes, golf, tennis and more. View a range of Invigor8 Memberships here: https://activewirral.com/invigor8-memberships/.

Wirral Globe: Collage of pics from the opening of Bidston Sports and Activity Centre Collage of pics from the opening of Bidston Sports and Activity Centre (Image: Wirral Council)