Investment part of wider improvements to deliver 'very best leisure facilities for residents'
New state of the art gym facilities have opened at Larkfield Leisure Centre, featuring the latest in fitness training equipment.
The improvements, comprising a mix of cardio and resistance machines, form part of a wider investment by Tonbridge and Malling Council and its leisure partner, tmactive, in facilities at three centres across the borough.
Other upgrades include new gym equipment for the Angel Centre in Tonbridge and the refurbishment of Tonbridge Swimming Pool’s spa which are both due to complete this week.
The council has also secured funding to help fund clean energy improvements at Larkfield Leisure Centre. More than £1m will be spent on heat pumps to service the fitness pool and a further £393,000 on additional solar panels.
The improvements are part of the council’s mission to decarbonise its leisure facilities. Earlier this year, Tonbridge Swimming Pool had 180 solar panels fitted, saving an estimated 16 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The council is also working on plans to replace the Angel Centre in Tonbridge with a new carbon neutral facility.
Cllr Des Keers, the council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to providing the very best in leisure facilities for our residents and enabling everyone to benefit from a healthy, active lifestyle.
“We also want to address the very significant carbon emissions that swimming pools in particular generate. I look forward to getting heat pumps, solar panels and other measures installed and taking us closer to our goal of creating carbon neutral leisure centres.”
Emma Wood, Chief Executive of tmactive, said: “Our key objective within tmactive is to support our community in living healthier, more active lives. This significant investment reflects the joint commitment of both tmactive and TMBC to create modern, welcoming spaces that not only meets the fitness needs of today but also aligns with our shared responsibility for environmental sustainability. We’re excited to see residents benefit from these state-of-the-art facilities and the positive impact they’ll have on their wellbeing."
Residents are invited to explore Larkfield’s refurbished gym. To arrange a tour of the facilities, contact a tmactive membership advisor on 01622 713225 or the Angel Centre on 01732 772690.