CHANCTONBURY LEISURE CENTRE
Published: 1st December 2022
In 2020, the future looked bleak for Chanctonbury Leisure Centre. Just months after the first lockdown, the centre operator was struggling financially and there was a risk of it closing. Now run as a registered charity by local trustees, it has been revitalised, with new facilities establishing the leisure centre as a community hub. AAH met Operations Director Andrew Dunstan to find out more…
WHITE ELEPHANT
Like many in the industry, Chanctonbury Leisure Centre was hit hard by the pandemic. In July 2020, Adur Community Leisure (ACL), which also operated leisure centres in Shoreham, Southwick and Lancing, entered voluntary liquidation. Despite its popularity, there was a risk of Chanctonbury Leisure Centre closing its doors permanently. Andi said: ‘There is a covenant in place to ensure the building is used for leisure provision, but there were fears it could become a “white elephant”, unused and deteriorating, as nobody in the industry had the finances or resources to step in at that difficult time to save it.’
COMMUNITY ASSET
However, a campaign gathered pace, spearheaded by former staff and centre users. At around the time that South Downs Leisure took on the three other centres previously run by ACL, Chanctonbury Community Leisure (CCL) was established to take on the Storrington site. A board of trustees was formed and set about obtaining charitable status.
Andi, one of those made redundant by ACL, said: ‘We wanted to ensure that the centre remained a community asset, but it required a lot of work. We have a dedicated team of staff and trustees, which is chaired by Phil Pickard and includes representatives of local businesses, such as Tesla Engineering. Keeping it going has been a real community effort. Although the building is owned by Storrington and Sullington Parish Council, everything inside belonged to ACL and there was a risk of it being sold at auction. However, we were able to secure funding, through the generosity of the Parish Council, to purchase the contents and were finally ready to re-open in April 2021. We also received funding or support from West Chiltington, Washington and Thakeham Parish Council, Horsham District Council and Tesla Engineering.’
FULLY INCLUSIVE
From the outset, the new team at CCL ensured the centre was fully inclusive. A free creche was launched as an incentive for parents with young children, and free first aid courses have been organised. Youth initiatives have already included summer fun days, community boxing programmes and even a ‘Grub Club’, providing free school meals to children during the holidays. Short break days, run in partnership with West Sussex County Council, offer children with additional needs and their families the chance to enjoy a range of activities and games. The centre is also used by a branch of the Women’s Institute and hosts a weekly Nostalgia Cafe.
Andi said: ‘The Nostalgia Cafe is run in collaboration with Home Instead (alongside other supporting agencies and businesses) to support people living with dementia, as well as their carers. It’s a place where they can seek support, but more importantly, it brings people together to chat in a relaxed environment. Members of the public are welcome to use the cafe too, as we are not a members-only club, and pay-as-you-go visitors can use our facilities.’
PICKLEBALL, ANYONE?
The centre has a studio which hosts classes ranging from Les Mills body pump and body combat to pilates, yoga and tai chi. The sports halls are used for football, badminton, table tennis, short tennis, short mat bowls, basketball, gymnastics and much more, with some sessions offered in partnership with Horsham District Council’s Sports Development Team.
The main sports hall is also utilised by local clubs including STARS Netball Club (see separate feature on p61) and Storrington Judo Club, and hosts a Luv 2 Sk8 roller disco and Life Community Church Youth Club. Andi said: ‘We have activities for people of all ages. On Wednesdays, we host daytime “Stronger for Life” drop-in sessions, where people can try activities, including some they may never have tried before, like disc golf, new-age kurling and pickleball. For those looking to relax, we have a sauna and steam room, which alternates between salt and eucalyptus infusions.’
3G PITCH
A recent addition has been the outside 3G training pitch, completed in November 2021 on what was an ageing tennis court. The all-weather surface comes complete with LED lighting, helping to lower its carbon footprint. Andi said: ‘The 3G has been a huge success and is booked for 19 hours each week. The ACE
Football Academy use it, as do teams like Ashington Cougars, which previously travelled outside the area. We also host walking football and Albion in the Community’s Powerchair team. We support women’s and girls’ football too, with Storrington Women’s Recreational Football and The Wildcats using our 3G.’
RELAXED GYM
The fully functional gym has free weights (dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells), fixed resistance (which isolate muscles by resisting movement), cardiovascular equipment (treadmills, stair climbers, cross trainers, rowing machines etc) and TechnoGym Kinesis equipment (which improves movement for the entire body), with qualified instructors on hand at all times. A Boditrax machine provides a body composition analysis, giving people a detailed picture of their body that they can use to improve their health.
Andi said: ‘There is a relaxed feel to the gym, as it’s a place where people can work-out at their own level and speed. It doesn’t have the intimidating, competitive atmosphere of some gyms and we limit numbers to ensure people can easily move around the equipment. We appeal to more mature residents looking to stay active, but also have over 100 junior members. We are keen to promote the gym and sport in general to young people, so offer fantastic deals for families.’
REFERRAL SCHEME
A key component of the leisure centre is its GP Referral Scheme, with two instructors qualified to look after patients referred by GPs, chiropractors, physiotherapists or HDC’s Wellbeing team. Some patients need rehabilitation after injury or surgery, while for others it helps with weight loss or to improve their wellbeing.
Vicki Hutchins, Exercise-on-Referral Lead, said: ‘After an initial consultation, referrals embark on a 12-week programme where they are looked after by instructors. Gentle Fit classes are also delivered by our physiotherapist and yoga instructor, and are extremely popular. We have had many success stories, from people who were previously struggling with joint pain due to a lack of physical activity, to others who suffered injuries in road accidents and required rehabilitation. After completing the programme, many have become full members, as they see the changes and want to continue their journey towards a healthier lifestyle.’
CENTRAL HUB
A core objective for the trustees is for Chanctonbury Leisure Centre to become a central hub for the community. It’s well on its way to becoming that, with a growing range of activities for members and a warm welcome for casual users.
Andi said: ‘People have responded well to what we have done in the 18 months since we opened and the centre has become a true hub. Come here on any given day and you’ll see a wide range of activities and people socialising in the cafe. There was a risk the centre would close and – if we didn’t have this facility – where would all these people go? Where would patients have to travel to for referral services? Would the 100 children who play netball here every week still play regular sport? Our community needs this and has been very supportive. Word is spreading, but we do occasionally need to shout about the great things happening here!’
WORDS: BEN MORRIS / PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT
Further information:
Visit Chanctonbury Leisure Centre at Spierbridge Road, Storrington, West Sussex, RH20 4PG.
