Managed by Everyone Active in partnership with East Herts Council, the refurbished facility celebrated completion by hosting a free family fun day on Saturday, September 9, offering a diverse array of activities for the entire community.
More than 280 children enjoyed soft play sessions, while 560 fitness enthusiasts explored the state-of-the-art gym facilities. The open day also showcased introductory personal training sessions and group fitness classes, which were enjoyed by 360 participants.
Professional freestyle footballers Rebaz Mohammed and Stephen Gray, known for their TikTok fame, displayed their extraordinary skills and hosted workshops. In the sessions, Rebaz and Stephen shared their expertise, teaching children and aspiring athletes some of their signature moves and tricks, inspiring a new generation of freestyle football enthusiasts.
As part of the council's £9m refurbishment project, the upgrades feature a two-storey extension, housing a state-of-the-art gym, modern studios, soft play facilities and a vibrant cafe area, offering a holistic wellness experience.
Paul Lindsey, General Manager at Everyone Active, said: “We were absolutely thrilled by the overwhelming support from the local community at the family fun day last weekend. It was fantastic to witness our community members exploring the upgraded facilities and embracing an active lifestyle.
“The developments go a long way in significantly increasing the provision of activities at the centre, working to further drive the health and wellbeing of the local community, while feeding into the sustainability initiatives of the council and Everyone Active.”
Councillor Sarah Hopewell, Executive Member for Wellbeing at East Herts Council, said: “After nearly five years of planning, developing, and construction, and with the ambition to provide fitness for all, it’s safe to say that Hartham Leisure Centre has changed almost beyond recognition. There are so many fantastic benefits to physical activity, and if you've never been to a gym or class before, the staff here are always happy to offer support, advice, and encouragement to get you started with something that's right for you.
“We wouldn’t have got to this point without the hard work of all partners involved. A big thank you to Varsity Consulting, Cadman Construction, Saunders Boston Architects, the project team at East Herts Council and finally Everyone Active, who have worked tirelessly to keep the gym and classes as available as possible whilst all the work has taken place.”
Among the enhancements are the installation of 120 pieces of state-of-the-art fitness equipment in the gym, providing impressive views of Hartham Common. The gym caters to diverse fitness needs, offering a wide range of cardiovascular equipment, dedicated weightlifting zones and various resistance equipment, making it suitable for everyone's fitness journey. The centre also boasts two spacious studios, facilitating an expanded schedule of group exercise classes and community activities.
Young families will enjoy the addition of a brand-new, three-tier soft play structure that offers a dedicated play area. A baby sensory zone will complement this exciting feature, providing a safe and engaging space for the little ones. Adding an extra layer of fun, an interactive wristband feature called TAGplay will introduce gamification elements to the play experience. Children can tag checkpoints, earn points and set time records as they navigate the play structure, and enjoy the classic slides and obstacles.
In addition to the new and improved facilities, energy improvements have also been introduced to provide sustainable energy and support the centre’s commitment to a greener future. These include the installation of solar panels on the roof, an air source heat pump removing any need for additional gas, and a green feature wall served by rainwater from the roof – providing an amazing visual feature to blend into the green space around Hartham.
Additionally, ease of access has been addressed with the creation of a new entrance allowing customers to access the centre from the car park and Hartham Common area.
Check out the photos from the event on our Facebook page, photo credit: www.thevisualstoryteller.co.uk
