Open for business… Cresta makes a splash with £100,00 refit

Release Date: 09/05/2011

Local residents, school children and members of community swimming clubs in Chard will soon be able to enjoy the newly refurbished swimming pool at Cresta Leisure Centre which will be officially reopened at a special ceremony at the centre on Tuesday 10 May. (11am)

The swimming pool at Cresta Leisure Centre, which is managed by Somerset Leisure Trust has undergone a major £100,000 refit. The pool will be reopened, by the Mayor of Chard, Jill Shortland following the closure of the facility for six weeks while extensive renovation work has been carried out.

Half of the money for the refit has been provided by a grant from the Amateur Swimming Association, with the leisure trust match funding the rest of the money.

The improvements to Cresta Leisure Centre include new state of the art changing rooms and reception area as well as the much needed refurbishment of the swimming pool which was built twenty five years ago.

The Leisure Services Manager at Cresta Leisure Centre, Richard Blythe says that the refurbishment will make a huge difference to the local swimmers in the area; ”The pool at Cresta Leisure Centre has played a pivotal role in the life of the community in Chard during the past 25 years. During that time thousands of people have enjoyed using the pool at Cresta, including the Somerset born swimmer and Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist, ,Matt Clay, who was a member of the local swimming club here. Now everyone from babies to pensioners will be able to enjoy the fantastic new facilities which will once again prove to be a valuable asset to the area.”

Photo call, 11am Cresta Leisure Centre for official re-opening of Cresta swimming pool.

For more information about Cresta Leisure Centre, please contact the Leisure Services Manager of the centre Richard Blythe, Tel 01460 64084.

For more information about Somerset Leisure please contact the Marketing Manager Rebecca Sawtell Tel 01823 410 227 or mobile 07808 767468 or visit www.somersetleisure.org.uk

Note for editors - Somerset Leisure is a non-profit making leisure trust which manages 13 leisure centres based on school sites across Somerset. Somerset Leisure's mission is to provide excellent sports, health & wellbeing, leisure and learning services that are accessible, responsive and sustainable to ensure that the South West is a healthy and vibrant place to live, work and visit.

CARYFORD FITNESS & LEISURE, CASTLE CARY 01963 350600 CASTLE SPORTS CENTRE, TAUNTON 01823 322934 CHILTON TRINITY SPORTS CENTRE, BRIDGWATER 01278 429119 CRESTA LEISURE CENTRE, CHARD 01460 64084 CREWKERNE SPORTS CENTRE 01460 271683 EAST BRIDGWATER LEISURE CENTRE 01278 456087 EXMOOR GYM 01643 708815 GLASTONBURY LEISURE CENTRE 01458 830090 KING ALFRED SPORTS CENTRE, HIGHBRIDGE 01278 786868 PRESTON SPORTS CENTRE 01935 412137 SHEPTON MALLET LEISURE CENTRE 01749 346644 STANCHESTER SPORTS CENTRE, STOKE SUB HAMDON 01935 825261 WEST SOMERSET SPORTS & LEISURE CENTRE, MINEHEAD 01643 708815

If you require further information associated with this press release please contact Gail Livingstone, A Head for PR: Tel 01823 252415 or mobile 0776 055595 E/: gail@aheadforpr.co.uk