£8m sports centre ready to make a splash as De Montfort University pool filled
It is one of the key finishing touches for De Montfort University's £8 million sports centre – the swimming pool is now filled with water.
Contractors have spent the past week filling the six-lane pool with 500 cubic metres of water.
The centre, in Leicester's West End, will officially open at the end of next month in time for the Olympics.
Gym manager Cameron Mackinnon has been appointed and extra staff are in the process being recruited to help run it.
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Mr Mackinnon said: "We're really excited about the sports centre. The facilities are top grade and are really going to offer students and the public a top quality place to visit and stay active at very good value.
"It's great to have something like this all under one roof, from the sauna, to the gym, fitness suites, and sports hall.
"Universities have to think about what they're offering their students more and more these days and this really enhances what we have."
Contractors Morgan Sindall tested the six-lane swimming pool a few months ago for leaks, but have now filled it.
Ian Warrington, vice-president for student activities at the university, said: "We can't wait to get in there. We've been liaising with the university for the past year to make sure it's accessible for students in terms of price and we're really excited."
A cafe and climbing wall have also been created at the centre, which will be the new base for Leicester Riders basketball team when the new season gets underway.
The team uses the university's John Sandford Sports Centre nearby.
University bosses have not yet decided what will happen to the old sports centre, but say it will be retained and put to another use.
The centre will be available to existing members a week earlier than its official opening on July 30, when the pool will finally be put into action.
Celebration plans, including who will be the first person to jump in the pool, have yet to be finalised with more details set to be released early next month.
University bosses hope Olympic fever will rub off on residents and students, who will be able to take part in two-week free sessions until August 12.
Professor Dominic Shellard, the university's vice-chancellor, said: "I'm delighted with the way the leisure centre is coming on – it's looking fantastic and we're now adding the finishing touches.
"We hope lots of people come down to try it out during the two free weeks and see what a great addition it is to both the university and the community."
The centre has been built on the site of the former Pump and Tap pub and the 180-year-old Bowstring Bridge.
Thousands of people opposed the demolition of these two landmarks but they were knocked down in November 2009.
The new sports centre was designed by S&P Architects, the firm behind the aquatic centre for this year's Olympics.
Comments
by horsejockey
Saturday, June 23 2012, 10:56AM
“Can we tie a few weights to the first person to jump in.Ruined a part of the City.”