Refurbishment work

YMCA Sports & Community Centre
Refurbishment Works

Since opening in 1991, the YMCA Sports & Community Centre has been extremely popular and well-used by local residents.

Following on from the build of the Inclusive Sports Hall in 2018, we are now planning to reinvigorate our existing space to enhance the facilities for those attending our gym and fitness classes, as well as offer improved facilities for children attending out-of-school childcare and recreational activities.

The designs have been developed in conjunction with Sophie Griffiths Architects to refresh the space available in the fitness centre and first floor children and young people’s areas. Please note that images shown are for representational purposes and the final build may differ.

Sixmile Construction have been contracted to complete the building work following a negotiated procurement process. They successfully completed work on YMCA East Surrey’s newest semi-independent housing scheme and we look forward to working with them again on this exciting project.

The first phase is currently underway on the Sports Hall which involves erecting a dividing wall between the gym free weights area and the sports hall, building a new store room, installing new ventilation, cooling and lighting. The dividing wall will allow us to create a purpose-built physical activity studio for use by children and adults.

Subsequent phases of work will include renovation of the first floor children and young people’s area (including a new activity studio space) which is due to start in early 2025, as well as installing a larger entrance between the old and new gym later in 2025.

As with any project of this size, timings can be subject to minor change but we’ll keep you updated on our website, social media, and notices at the centre.

Sketch of new entrance from old to new gym

The redevelopment will result in:

• A permanent dividing wall between the free weights gym area and the old sports hall
• A new archway to improve flow from main gym into free weight area
• A new fitness/spin studio space for fitness classes
• Refreshed first floor children and young people’s activity areas, kitchen and toilets
• Improved ventilation and cooling
• Environmental improvements including LED lighting and other improvements to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions
• Installation of EV car chargers

We are aiming to keep the centre open throughout the work and to keep disruption to a minimum during the work. The contractors may need to close individual areas on occasion and we will give as much notice of this as possible. Our contractors are experienced in delivering improvements whilst services remain open, where feasible.

Access and parking
Access to the centre for regular activities will be maintained throughout the build, including disability access. There may be changes to how to access the building. Any access changes will be clearly signposted. Some car parking bays may be taken out of use to give builders access to the site.

Sketch of new spin studio

Gym and fitness classes
The YMCA gym will remain open during the work. During the first phase of the works from 14 October until the end of 2024, the gym area will be reduced significantly due to works in the old sports hall. A number of machines will be temporarily removed although we will keep a broad range of machines to ensure that members can maintain their levels of training.

We are pleased to say that our fitness class timetable will remain largely as scheduled, with a few changes to times/locations of classes. A revised fitness class timetable is available on our website and at reception. There may be some changes to our regular lettings and these have been communicated to clubs or groups who hire our premises.

In recognition of your patience, we will not be increasing prices for those who remain as members through what may be a slightly disruptive period.

Y-Kids Out of School Childcare & Recreational Activities
When the work to the first floor commences in in early 2025, we will continue to run Out of School Childcare onsite, but move downstairs to the sports hall.

Football and East Surrey Acrobatics will also continue to run at the YMCA Sports & Community centre throughout the work.

You can stay up to date with developments by checking our website and social media channels. We’ll also send emails at regular intervals during the project to let you know what’s happening at each phase of the work.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing to use YMCA’s services and we’re excited to be able to offer you a refreshed and reinvigorated centre after the work is complete.

If you have any questions regarding the building work, please email us at princesroad@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk