THE COUNCIL has announced dates for residents to attend an in-person sneak preview of the new Bulmershe Leisure Centre before it officially opens.

The Leisure centre, based on Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, is set to officially open to members of the public mid-next month, on August 17.

However councillors announced that residents would be able to book a session to look around the new place from August 4 right up until the day before opening, August 16.

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The £14.5 million project was originally meant to open to residents on April 22, however these plans were thwarted by the end of March, following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent nation-wide lockdown.

Featuring 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, the site is set to be a huge development for sports and leisure for residents in the Woodley area.

The tours through the facilities, which took just short of 14 months to complete, will last around 15 minutes each and participants will be asked to socially distance throughout the entire tour.

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Visiting spaces will be available from Tuesday, August 4, and then every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday until the opening date.

A spokesman for the Wokingham Borough Council said on Facebook: “Our fantastic new Bulmershe Leisure Centre opens to the public on August 17.

“Fancy having a look round before it opens?

“Starting next week, we’re running 15 minute socially distanced preview tours for individuals and small household groups.”

To apply to see the centre, visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/bulmershe-leisure-centre-tours-weekday-august-tickets-114283709652.