TARKA LEISURE CENTRE SEES PARTICIPATION AND MEMBERSHIPS BOOM IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS

• Health & Fitness memberships increased by 74.5% since opening

• Participation levels soar by 43% at the new facility

• The new £15 million centre opened in Barnstaple, North Devon, on 24th June 

06/09/22 – Tarka Leisure Centre welcomed over 33,800 visits in August: a 43% increase from the same month the previous year, following the opening of the new £15 million leisure facility in June.

Since its launch, the Centre has also recorded a 74.5% increase in health and fitness members, and 119% increase in annual memberships, with demand for the state-of-the-art gym and extensive group exercise offering high.  

The new site, which is operated by Lex Leisure, combined the town’s existing leisure facilities into one to create the all-new Tarka Leisure Centre. Alongside the gym, the facility is home to two swimming pools, including a 25m eight-lane competition pool with moveable floor, outdoor 3G pitches, a large sports hall, and the county’s only endless ski-slope. 

A large indoor soft play, outdoor play area and cafe complete the multi-million pound leisure facility. The existing tennis centre was also upgraded as part of the new development. 

The opening of the new site marked almost 20 years’ partnership between the facility’s owners, North Devon Council, and leading leisure operator Parkwood Leisure. 

Commenting on the rising visitor and member numbers, Glen Hall, Managing Director of Parkwood Leisure, said: “Summer is typically a quieter time for gyms and leisure facilities, so it’s a fantastic to have welcomed so many people through the doors over the past two months and see the rise in memberships; a clear indication of how well received the new facility has been in the local community. 

“The aim when designing Tarka Leisure Centre was to offer something for everyone; whatever age, interest, or ability, we wanted the Centre to be at the heart of its community and help as many people as possible get active. The feedback so far has been fantastic, and we’re confident that our reach within Barnstaple and the surrounding areas will only grow as more people experience all that Tarka Leisure Centre has to offer.”

Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor David Worden added: “I am thrilled by the news that participation levels have increased by 33% in July 2022 in comparison with July 2021 and by 43% in August 2022 in comparison with the same month last year. This is a huge growth in participation since Tarka Leisure Centre was built and I’m really pleased that residents of North Devon are getting active and making the most of them.”