READING’S new flagship leisure centre at Rivermead opened to the public today, July 17.

From today, the brand-new leisure centre will offer a 120-station gym with 3 studios, a 6-court sports hall with 250 spectator seats, toilets and changing facilities, soft play, reception area and café.

The new leisure facilities form part of the Council’s leisure investment of over £40m.

On Tuesday, July 25, the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Tony Page, alongside GLL’s Chief Executive Peter Bundey and local Olympic GBR rower, Rowan McKellar, will unveil a plaque marking the opening.

Rowan will also be setting the benchmark for GLL’s ‘Race the Rower’ challenge, giving centre users the opportunity to compete against her time and be in with the chance to win a month’s free membership.

This challenge will be running from July 25 to 30 to mark the opening of the leisure centre and GLL’s 30th birthday. 

Director of Pellikaan UK, Gert-Jan Peeters, said: “We are proud to have delivered the new Rivermead in partnership with Reading Council and GLL, following the successful opening of the new Palmer Park Leisure Centre and Stadium in December 2022.

"We look forward to seeing the centre in use and are confident that the centre will be a welcome addition for the local community.”

Following a phased opening plan, the opening of new swimming pools with follow in summer 2024.

This includes a 25m 8 lane competition pool and a teaching & diving pool, both with moveable floors, with more than 300 spectator seats (including 7 accessible wheelchair spaces), alongside splash pads for younger users.

From July 14, the current demountable swimming pool at Rivermead is temporarily unavailable while GLL undertake essential works and give the facilities a deep clean. The pool will back in use by the new academic year in September.

Drone images from Tony McGinn at Flyskydrones@hotmail.com has shared images of the centre ahead of its grand opening today.