PLANS TO OPEN the Bulmershe Leisure Centre have been announced, with the final opening date far sooner than first imagined.

The brand new £14.5million Bulmershe Leisure Centre will officially open its doors at 6am on Wednesday, April 22 - almost three months earlier than originally planned.

Wokingham Borough Council has spent just under 14 months to complete the main construction of the new site, built over the former centre built in the 1970s.

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Councillor Michael Firmager, deputy executive member for environment and leisure, said: "We have built a centre that we are really proud of.

"Residents only have a few more weeks to wait before they can enjoy these fantastic facilities, which will help improve health, wellbeing and quality of life.

"It will be a community focus for the people of Woodley of all ages and sporting abilities to enjoy, and socialise as well.

"We have installed a long-term condition gym to support residents with numerous conditions to carry out exercises to support their recovery and help manage their conditions.

"Here in the Wokingham Borough we’re significantly investing in our sport and leisure facilities – some £30 million. And, I am absolutely thrilled that the new centre will open earlier than expected.”

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The centre will feature a six-lane swimming pool that's 6 metres long, a teaching pool with a moveable floor, a bigger gym, a long-term condition gym, a four-court sports hall, a studio, and a cafe.

Tony Penge, contract manager, Places Leisure, Wokingham said: “Places Leisure is delighted to be extending our leisure offer to the residents of Woodley.

"We have already established a fantastic partnership with Wokingham Borough Council and are very much looking forward to showcasing the new centre to the local community."