Gym opens after GBP3 million refurbishment

Race Cottam Associates worked with Sheffield International Venues on the contemporary refurbishment of the gym at Ponds Forge, creating a new 1250 sq metre facility for the city.

The project has provided Sheffielders with a bigger, air conditioned gym, spacious exercise studios, an improved health suite and treatment rooms all serviced by brand new changing rooms.

The new Fitness Unlimited gym includes more than 130 stations and high spec fitness equipment to provide an improved service for more than 6,500 Sheffield fitness users.

Other key redevelopment details include a cardio theatre, spin studio, two air conditioned group fitness studios with sprung floors and a new spa including reception, sauna, steam room, showers and relaxation area.

Energy saving measures also form a key part of Race Cottam's plans, including dimmable lights and temperature controls.

Ponds Forge ISC was designed by the architects Faulkner Browns and opened in 1991 as a venue for the World Student Games, which the city hosted that year.

Since then it has hosted numerous high profile swimming competitions and other sporting events, including Channel Four's celebrity contest 'The Games'.

Race Cottam architect Tim Robinson said: "Ponds Forge is one of the country's best known sporting facilities and we were proud to be invited to update the designs of Faulkner Brown's initial quality development.

"The project was carried out in a challenging live environment, ensuring a major public building remained in use whilst construction work took place.

The result is a contemporary public facility which is now Sheffield's biggest gym and is evidence of the practice's growing reputation in the leisure design sector".

Steve Brailey, SIV chief executive said: "Ponds Forge is a key player in helping to provide a vast range of health benefits through sport.

We are delighted with the completion of Race Cottam's plans, which mean we can meet the ever-rising expectations of customers for quality and value for money and competition from other swim and fitness providers in the city".

The year-long transformation was delivered by SIV which currently operates 14 sports, leisure and entertainment venues across the city, and Sheffield City Trust working closely with Sheffield City Council.

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