First for Scotland as Inverclyde Achieves New Heights
The first adventure X Height climbing walls in Scotland are at the heart of a new activity centre which has undergone a £1.2 million transformation by Inverclyde Council and Inverclyde Leisure.
The facility at Ravenscraig in Greenock also includes an extensive children’s soft-play area, a cafe and a brand new 100 station fitness gym on an extended mezzanine floor.
Inverclyde Leisure is also the first Scottish leisure trust to introduce a budget gym model as part of their drive to make exercise more affordable
Inverclyde Council Communities Vice Convener Councillor James McColgan said: “High quality leisure facilities are key to attracting people to Inverclyde and to meeting the needs of families already living here. The new-look Ravenscraig Activity Centre ticks all of the boxes and I am sure will attract visitors from further afield.”
The X Height climbing facility features 19 adventure vertical walls designed for people of any ability, age or experience using the clip-in TruBlue belay system.
A survey was carried out which included speaking to 300 local residents and an online survey of people who used the old sports centre before the new design was finalised.
Kieron Vango Chief Executive of Inverclyde Leisure said: “We value our partnership with Inverclyde Council and the forward thinking of the Inverclyde Leisure Board of Directors. The Board recognised the need to offer something different to encourage new activity in the area and generate more usage of the facility”.
“The refurbishment programme has helped generate local jobs within the area and as we grow the business so will create further employment in Inverclyde. The centre is a great addition to the IL portfolio and helps build on previous projects from our 3-year business plan”
David McCorkindale, Inverclyde Leisure’s Head of Leisure and Community said: “The new Ravenscraig Activity centre will further reduce barriers to exercise and improve general fun activity by introducing a more affordable fitness option to the area. This links closely to our company mission statement of ‘Getting people active’. The recent changes to the facility have been welcomed by the community, and we are already set to reach 700 new members using the fabulous low cost Fitness Gym, since opening on the 1st February 2016.”