12/10/2006

SUMMIT SOLUTIONS FOR CARADON DISTRICT COUNCIL

QUEEN ADELAIDE, ELY – October 12, 2006 – Caradon District Council has teamed up with Summit Leisure Solutions (SLS) to transform Saltash and Lux Park Leisure Centres in southeast Cornwall. Providing the funding mechanism for a complete refurbishment of both sites, SLS is facilitating the whole project which includes working with Life Fitness on the installation of an extensive range of cardiovascular and strength equipment.

Acting as the council’s funding partner, SLS has also provided marketing and training support, as well as overseeing the building work by Parkholme Home Construction.

Michele Baker-Caton, Leisure Services Manager at Caradon District Council, comments: “With limited resources and expertise in the leisure development sector we’ve found the support of SLS invaluable. It was really important for us to take a joined up approach to this project and by working with the right partners the whole process has been extremely smooth.”

The new 43-station Life Fitness gym at Saltash Leisure Centre is equipped with cardiovascular products from the 95-Series and strength equipment from the Signature Series. It also boasts air conditioning and improved audio-visual entertainment. In addition there is a new dance studio, crèche facility and luxury changing rooms. Lux Park will undergo a similar refurbishment in December, which is due for completion in January 2007.

The newly refurbished Saltash Leisure Centre has been well received by members since it opened in July. Michele says: “The Life Fitness equipment looks great, fitting in really well with the fresh, new décor, but perhaps more importantly it’s very intuitive and easy to use. This is a very important consideration for us, as we’re continuing to attract a wide range of members, including older people and those who are not particularly familiar with the traditional gym environment. Our membership status has increased by over 200 since the refurbishment and we’re confident that this is set to rise in the coming months.”

Caradon District Council, in partnership with East Cornwall Primary Care Trust, has been instrumental in managing a number of schemes, many of which are run at Saltash and Lux Park Leisure Centres, to address post and preventative health care through physical activity. Among these initiatives are a GP Referral scheme, Phase 4 Cardiac Rehabilitation scheme, Walking for Health group, women’s running groups, exercise sessions aimed specifically for patients recovering from a stroke and green gyms.

Michele comments: “We’re continually striving to improve our facilities, activities and services to ensure that we keep meeting the needs of the whole community and encouraging the public to adopt and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. The refurbishments of Saltash and Lux Park are testament to this ongoing improvement and we’re delighted with what we’ve been able to achieve with the assistance of SLS.”