The completion of a multi-million pound new leisure centre ‘kitted-out’ with no less than five high performance Gerflor flooring products, has boosted the leisure offering available to a rural community in the north of the Isle of Axholme, North Lincolnshire. The facility, where transport is limited and the nearest leisure centre had previously been over five miles away has provided local residents a new lease of life.
Previously the only leisure provision for residents was an old school hall without a swimming pool, North Lincolnshire Council wanted to help increase the local numbers participating in sport and active recreation by putting in place the right infrastructure. Built on the land of the local secondary school, the resulting new Axholme North Leisure Centre is a part refurbishment of an old hall combined with a new-build facility that has created a purpose-built, well-equipped leisure complex.
Located on Wharf Road, Crowle, the indoor facilities provided by Axholme North Leisure Centre include a four lane, 25 metre swimming pool, 16 station gym and a fitness studio, whilst outside there is a 3G 9v9 football pitch along with netball and tennis courts.
“Serving our small rural community, the new leisure centre has been well received by those who are taking advantage of the facility and who like its welcoming and friendly ambience”, said Faye Colver, Area Sports Facilities Manager. “However, the choice of floor coverings was not only important to the appearance of our leisure centre but also to its upkeep and the safety and comfort of its users.”
Since first impressions count, a design-led flooring solution for the customer-facing areas was decided upon. Gerflor’s Taralay Impression Control fitted the brief by combining the specification qualities of performance and slip resistance along with aesthetics. Installed within the reception, corridors and cafeteria areas, it also unified and enhanced the decor of these hard working, communal spaces.
“Taralay Impression Control in ‘Silk’ is a nice, light, flooring well suited to a building with a large footfall, and which, unlike concrete and some hard surfaces, is quiet and warm underfoot. Plus, our chosen design, ‘Silk’, is appealing yet unobtrusive, doesn’t show footprints and is well suited to a mixed ability community, which includes people with conditions who may be adversely affected by certain colours and shapes within the floor,” said Faye Colver.
“However, it was Taralay Impression Control’s easy maintenance that particularly impressed us. As people continually move from outdoor spaces to indoor areas, it is vital that dirt does not become embedded in the flooring or travel within the building, potentially contaminating wet areas. A flooring that was quick and easy to clean was therefore crucial to us.”
A simple to maintain surface was also an important characteristic for the multi-function fitness studio flooring enabling it to be quickly cleaned. Meeting this brief with ease was Gerflor’s Taraflex® Comfort in wood-effect design.
“We also needed the flooring to have dual functionality providing not only durability for activities like kettlebell but also warmth and comfort for floor-based exercise like yoga,” explained Faye Colver. “Taraflex Comfort gives us the warmth in look, feel and ambience we wanted with the durability and easy maintenance we needed.”
“We are very happy with the results,” concluded Faye Colver. “The flooring specifications were based on durability, performance and lifespan. Gerflor’s floorings are continuing to do their job as our new Leisure Centre is steadily growing in capacity as more members of our community take part in the leisure activities we can now offer.”
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