New Berkshire leisure centre nears completion
The new carnival hub in Wokingham is expected to open in mid-July
The multi-million pound Carnival Hub, Wokingham Borough Council’s flagship new community building is reaching the final phase of completion.
The new Wokingham Leisure Centre is the latest phase in the council's plans to improve leisure facilities for residents, which has seen more than £50million invested in projects like the new Bulmershe Leisure Centre in Woodley as well as centres at Ryeish Green and Arborfield; improvements at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre; the new BXGFit gym; Cantley Park enhancements; and 3G pitches in Arborfield and Emmbrook.
The new Wokingham Leisure Centre Carnival Hub, include swimming pools, children’s splash pad, a health suite (salt and steam room), fitness studios including group cycling studio, a café, a dual-purpose hall for sports and 400 seat cultural performances.
The main pool has been filled, while the studios on the first floor are now complete and ready for the fitness equipment to arrive in early June. The main gym area is also nearing completion.
Owing to a slight delay in construction due to national issues with labour and materials, the leisure centre is now expected to open in mid July.
Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure, said:
“We’re really excited about the Carnival Hub opening its doors this summer. To progress the construction of such a large building during the pandemic is no mean feat and although we are facing a short delay in completion, we are still way ahead of schedule of opening this incredible sport and leisure facility. We continue to invest significantly in our sport and leisure facilities. The Hub will be a real focal point for the community and will have state of the art facilities to help residents to improve their health and wellbeing.”
The Hub will also include a large café in the entrance area, changing places toilet facility, and a brand-new home for Wokingham Library, along with flexible cultural use of spaces such as the sports hall.
The library is set to open on schedule later in the summer after their fit out is completed and dates agreed to transfer books and equipment from the existing site to the Hub. To get the new library ready, over 1km of shelving needs to be installed, ready to hold over 55,000 library books and items.