A health suite at a Richmond leisure centre previously home to a sauna, spa and steam room is set to be converted into a group exercise studio.

Richmond Council discovered the health suite at Pools on the Park in Old Deer Park was no longer fit for use after carrying out surveys when the facility closed to the public in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council stripped out the health suite in July 2022 to investigate options for its future.

The proposals considered by the authority were either to build a new sauna, spa bath, steam room and drench shower at the health suite to replace the previous facilities, or to convert it into another group exercise studio.

Pools on the Park already has an outdoor heated pool and grounds, indoor main and teaching pools, a gym, an indoor cycle studio and a class studio. It offers adult group exercise classes and swimming lessons.

A report by council officers said the new group exercise studio would be "cheaper to run and more in line with climate goals", with less ongoing maintenance required.

It said replacing the health suite would cost £210,000, according to estimates in November 2022, with high running costs as it would require a lot of energy to operate.

The group exercise studio, however, was expected to cost £140,000 with minimal running costs. The council previously approved a budget of £187,000 for the works.

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The authority's environment, sustainability, sports and culture committee approved the proposal to convert the health suite into a group exercise studio on November 7. 

The council will submit a planning application for the new studio, along with a wider package of works planned for Pools on the Park, in due course.

A planning application is required as the building is Grade II listed.

Classes set to be held at the new group exercise studio include 17 weekly health improvement classes, each with space for 10 people.

Classes set to be held at the new group exercise studio include 17 weekly health improvement classes, each with space for 10 people. (Photo Credit: LDRS).

The report estimated the facility would generate £57,086 in annual income through classes, external rentals and memberships.

It added: "Currently group exercise sessions at Pools on the Park are often oversubscribed and the space that is currently occupied by the health suite could be converted to allow provision of an additional group exercise studio."

"This would increase the capacity to deliver group exercise and create an opportunity for a new programme to widen participation and to encourage residents that are not currently participating in physical activity to become more physically active."

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Officers will also carry out a feasibility study to investigate whether the council's developing leisure strategy should include plans for a bigger and better health suite in the borough.

Lib Dem Cllr Julia Neden-Watts, chair of the environment, sustainability, culture and sports committee, said: "Offering better services to residents and getting the borough moving means ensuring everyone can access the facilities they need to lead a healthy life.

"By investing in these exciting plans for Pools on the Park, we are not only revitalising our leisure offering but making it easier for everyone to join in. Through this work, we are promoting more active lifestyles for all residents and fostering a healthier future for the borough."