21-25 POOL WET LEISURE:Layout 1 9/4/08 16:24 Page 3
POOL & WET-LEISURE FOCUS
Wellma, the one stop
shop from Astralpool
A ‘one stop’ wellness shop for too late to capture a share of
architects, developers and others the wellness market.
working on spa and health centre “Astralpool has some excellent
projects is a new concept being products and although the
promoted by Astralpool. market price of raw materials like
The idea is to provide design stainless steel has shot up, it’s a
professionals and developers with rare market. We need to push
a complete range of pool and the benefits like it’s long life, low
wellness products all under one maintenance and easy to clean.
roof. The ‘Wellma’ concept has It’s also a very stylish material. I
been operational at Astralpool’s think the main thing is that we’re
Swimming steps up the
Barcelona headquarters for some offering everything in one place;
time and in preparation for a the Wellma one-stop shop is
ante with intensive
British launch Astral UK’s Robin what architects and people
Norris appointed Tom Coan as want,” he says.
training centres
Wellness Manager several Certainly his boss, Astralpool
months ago. MD Robin Norris, is bullish
British Swimming has started its long-term performance goals,” “The Wellma concept means about the pool and wellness
process of setting up a network he said. the customer can get everything industry despite the current
of Intensive Training Centres - “These centres will be the in one place. We can provide a economic climate. “Obviously
aimed at raising standards equivalent of a convenience store complete service to architects, Northern Rock rocked the
throughout the UK. for swimmers and coaches – the hotel owners and developers market but I think the rot has
The national governing body aim is to provide everything they when they are at the design stopped now. Quite a few
has written to a number of need in their development from stage of a new project. It means people are saying how healthy
facilities with an Olympic-sized, the right amount of pool time to we can promote all our products the industry is at the moment
50m pool, inviting expressions of sports science support.” like sauna, steam and spas and there is no sign, from our
interest to work together with Scott’s plan is to have centres along with our pool products,” end of the market, of people
British Swimming. that will improve both the says Tom. pulling back. We’re still pretty
Michael Scott, National numbers and quality of world- The development was perhaps buoyant,” he says.
Performance Director, said the class athletes and coaches in a natural one for Astralpool who True to his word, Astralpool
centres will be key to an overall Britain by providing for every have majored in the pool market have already subcontracted a
strategy designed to maximise aspect of their training needs. but, until now, have missed out Wellma design team who can do
performance and provide Scott said: “The aim is to raise on the growing interest in fitness. 3D videos, CAD drawings and
sustainable success as standards with each ITC required While their chief competitors have designs on the spot. The team
swimming moves forward. to work towards an agreed plan been steadily developing their attends sales meetings between
“Creating a world-class daily which will incorporate an annual wellness operations for some Astralpool and customers like
training environment is an performance plan for both the years, Astralpool is a late entry. architects, hotels and leisure
exciting part of our overall athletes and coaches involved Undeterred by such things as the centres and do concept
strategy towards realising our with each centre.” escalating price of stainless steel, drawings on the spot as ideas
the material from which many of develop. In time the Wellma
Wales recruits record number of lifeguards
their wellness products are concept will be developed
made, Tom Coan is confident the further to include 3D plans on
Powys Council has become the training for future lifeguards. ‘one stop shop’ concept is not the Astralpool website.
largest lifeguard employer and Richard Gealy, at Powys
trainer in Wales, employing a County Council, says: “The
Dundee reveals Olympia centre
record 270 lifeguards. The internal and external
council has ensured each of its assessments are thoroughly Dundee City Council has revealed plans to build a £22m
lifeguards has gained the beneficial for everyone who swimming pool. As part of the council’s budget plans for
National Pool Lifeguard works at our swimming pools, as 2008/2009, the Labour administration has earmarked the money
Qualification. Also each of its 13 they ensure high standards are to replace the existing Olympia swim and leisure centre, but has
pools has qualified as an IQL maintained. Powys is going from not revealed any further details.
Approved Training Centre. strength to strength and Joe Morrow, a senior councillor responsible for finance, said: “The
Powys County Council now developing everyday which is capital plan is both ambitious and affordable. It will be financed
employs a record number of very important because we are through a mixture of capital grants from the Scottish Government,
lifeguards and 29 internal trainer such a large county and the IQL receipts from the sale of council land and buildings and contributions
assessors – who deliver the IQL offers the complete package.” from partner organisations.”
22 UK LEISURE NEWS March / April 2008 www.ukleisurenews.co.uk
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