18-19 LEISURE CENTRES:Layout 1 8/2/08 17:08 Page 3
LEISURE CENTRES & HEALTH CLUBS
move their feet to the latest chart
New objectives for Cannons
songs following step routines on a
massive plasma screen, complete
after £200m purchase
with mood lighting and a state of The Cannons group of health and fitness clubs are likely to have new
the art sound system. The family objectives after their purchase by healthcare provider Nuffield
fitness centre also boasts an Exer- Hospitals. The clubs were bought from PPM Capital.
Station Pro machine, which looks The not-for-profit health care group beat off competition from LA
and works like an Xbox console, Fitness, Virgin Active and Fitness First after tabling a bid believed to
but uses body movements to be worth around £200m.
control the game instead of David Mobbs, Chief Executive of Nuffield Hospitals, said: “This is a
thumbs, and a boxing ring very exciting moment for Nuffield. We are fast becoming a broad-
complete with punch bags and based health group, able to serve a wide range of the public’s health
ZigZag’s Makoto target arena, needs in addition to operating our hospitals.
where players compete against “We believe that people want to take a more active role in
the computer to knock out lights maintaining and promoting their own health. We are responding to
on the arena’s three six-foot steel that by providing the services people want, delivered where and when
Unique gym
towers. ZigZag has also installed they want them.”
Hoist’s new circuit of Roc-It The management and operation of the 52 Cannons Health and
helps out kids resistance machines. Fitness clubs will be taken over by Nuffield Proactive Health (NPH), the
and parents
But the gym flooring is pretty hospital group’s arm which already offers corporate health, fitness and
unique too. Pavigym has colour physiotherapy services.
ZigZag fitness solutions and coded the floor to section off and Chris Jessop, Chief Executive of NPH, said: “Cannons and NPH
Pavigym flooring have teamed highlight areas designated for can complement each other’s strengths and develop together.
up to kit out a unique gym at the different activities and has also “We have expertise in integrating health services such as
Five Acres Leisure Centre in the created a 10m sprint track. physiotherapy and health assessment with fitness and exercise,
Forest of Dean, designed so that Pavigym, which is made from the whereas Cannons has built a strong reputation for operating excellent
children and parents can work same material as sports training clubs which are great places to get in shape and stay healthy.”
out together. shoe soles, helps the foot’s natural Cannons’ CEO Arnu Misra added: “We are excited by Nuffield’s
ZigZag has installed eight of movement and reduces overall vision of a broader-based health and fitness proposition. Our
its Xer-Dance second generation fatigue and muscle stress, as well colleagues and members can look forward to a bright, secure and
dance platforms, where players as being hypo-allergenic. exciting future under the Nuffield umbrella.”
Cannons was purchased by the Royal Bank of Scotland and private
£750,000 to
equity company PPM Capital in 2001 for £360m.
Nuffield, a registered charity, purchased Sona – which offers in-
house gyms to large companies – in 2005.
upgrade centres
Fusion wins Threat of closure
A total of £750,000 is being Leisure Centre in Wootton
invested by North Wiltshire Bassett are also set for general
Croydon contracts is still alive
council through a rolling redecoration throughout. A gym Leisure trust Fusion has won Poole Sports Centre is still
capital improvement fund for extension, complete with new contracts to operate five leisure searching for a new operator in
four of its leisure centres. The equipment, is to be completed centres in the London borough order to save it from closure,
sites to benefit are The early in 2008 at Springfield and of Croydon. The sites are at after being put into liquidation. A
Olympiad, Lime Kiln and work at Lime Kiln will Thornton Heath, South Norwood, number of enquiries have been
Springfield Leisure Centres, as commence in 2008. Purley, New Addington and made but the threat still hangs
well as The Activity Zone, all The gym facility at The Activity Monks Hill. All five sites were over the complex.
managed by DC Leisure. Zone in Malmesbury, like those at previously managed by Sean Mason, a director at UK
The Olympiad Leisure Centre Lime Kiln and The Olympiad, has Parkwood Leisure. Bankruptcy, which was called in
in Chippenham has undergone been fitted with new Spinning Peter Kay, of Fusion, said: “Our by UK Sports Centres,said:
gym refurbishment including the bikes from Keiser. Its reception aim is to develop a network of “The centre has ceased trading
installation of a wireless and studio flooring have also been centres that are truly inclusive, and is currently standing empty.
entertainment system from upgraded. Finally, there are further friendly and welcome people of all All we can hope is that AXA, the
Cardio Theater and a large range plans to upgrade the air ages, sizes and abilities.” freeholders, will do what it
of cardiovascular equipment conditioning in the studio and gym Earlier this year, Fusion was needs to, in stepping up to the
from Precor. In addition, the in the coming months. appointed to manage Badminton, plate and finding another
Spinning area has been As part of the refurbishment England’s health and fitness operator. If they can’t do that
upgraded with 21 bikes from programme, all four gym facilities in Milton Keynes. It also they should purchase an
Keiser and new air conditioning. facilities are being re-branded operates leisure centres on behalf insurance and run it on a
Springfield Leisure Centre in ‘Kinetika’ – DC Leisure’s of local councils in Southwark and skeleton staff until a solution
Corsham and Lime Kiln national chain of gyms. Tunbridge Wells. can be found.”
18 UK LEISURE NEWS January / February 2008 www.ukleisurenews.co.uk
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