FROME Leisure Centre was taken over by Fusion Lifestyle at the beginning of this month, and will now be run by the sports and leisure management charity who plan to invest £2million in the facilities over the next three years.
London-based Fusion took over the running of Frome Leisure Centre on Monday 1st June after being chosen by Mendip District Council last year. The charity has pledged to invest £2million in the centre and improve access on Princess Anne Road over the term of its lease.
Fusion will also be running swimming lessons at the centre in conjunction with Frome Swimming Club; the club and Fusion are currently finalising an agreement.
Spokesperson for Fusion, Stephen Lee said, “Fusion Lifestyle is looking forward to taking over the management of Frome Leisure Centre from 1 June 2015 and is planning significant investment in the centre in the near future. Consultations with current and prospective users of the centre’s facilities will begin in due course.
“A registered charity, Fusion is devoted to promoting the benefits of healthy lifestyles and participation in sport and physical activity. Across its portfolio, the organisation works closely with local sports clubs recognising the important role they play in encouraging participation.
Fusion has been employed by Mendip District Council to run a number of centres in the area including in Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Wells, and Strode.
Staff from the council’s current leisure providers, Avalon, will move across to Fusion.
Frome Swimming Club
As part of the takeover, Fusion will be introducing their own swimming programme, replacing the services provided by Frome Swimming Club since the late 1800s.
Fraser Thomson chairman of Frome Swimming Club said, “We have for many years worked alongside Avalon Leisure and their predecessors at this facility; in a number of cases we have taught the parents and grandparents of our current members to swim.
“Building a good relationship with Fusion and creating this joined up pathway with them for swimming will ensure that swimming can continue to be delivered to the local community, so we are looking forward to working with Fusion to complement them with our expertise in swimming development.
“We are looking forward to delivering competitive swimming through to masters and water polo to those who have completed the early stages of ‘Learn to Swim’. This will help ensure that swimmers have a pathway to follow for their development locally and can continue to have enjoyment in the water.”
Francois Smit, regional business manager for Fusion said “We are in the process of finalising an agreement with Frome Swimming Club that will secure club use of the pools and the long-term sustainability of the club.
“Fusion has significant experience in delivering swimming lessons and currently delivers swimming lessons to over 39,000 children and adults every week across our swimming pools and we are keen to apply this experience and expertise in Frome. ”
Fusion Lifestyle currently provide over 80 locations in London and the South East for recreational sport, health and fitness activities for local communities.
To find out more about the charity, visit www.fusion-lifestyle.com
