Exeter's new leisure centre St Sidwell’s Point will open next month
Published: 1 March 2022
Exeter’s new state-of-the-art leisure centre St Sidwell’s Point will open in April.
The precise date will be revealed shortly as the finishing touches are completed at the super energy efficient building in the city centre.
Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Physical Activity, said he was delighted that residents would soon be using the new centre.
He said: “It is fantastic news that St Sidwell’s Point will be opening its doors to the public in April. We have waited a long time for this, but I can assure everyone that when they see the quality of this facility they will know it was well worth the wait.
“This is a major asset for Exeter that will serve the city and its citizens for many decades to come.”
It has also been announced that Pyramids Leisure Centre will not reopen after it was temporarily closed two weeks ago when a section of the roof collapsed during Storm Eunice.
All sessions, along with the staff, have been relocated to other leisure centres in the city.
It was planned to permanently close Pyramids when St Sidwell’s Point opened its doors. But the permanent closure has been brought forward by a few weeks to avoid incurring the unnecessary costs associated with repairing the roof damage.
Cllr Wood said: “We always said that Pyramids would close when St Sidwell’s Point opened. Unfortunately we have had to close it a few weeks early due to circumstances beyond our control. But I am very much looking forward to starting a new chapter for our leisure service in Exeter at St Sidwell’s Point.”
Cllr Wood said the Pyramids has a special place in the heart of many people who have grown up in Exeter, many of whom learnt to swim at the pool.
He said: “For 80 years it was an important facility in the city and I know a lot of people have very fond memories of it.
“It began to look very dated and tired in recent years, but it has served the citizens of this city very well during its long lifetime.”
St Sidwell’s Point, the UK’s first Passivhaus leisure centre, features an eight-lane, 25m main pool and four-lane, 20m learner pool, both with moveable floors making learning to swim accessible to all who visit. It also features a 100 station gym, fitness studios and luxury spa facilities.
Due a special filtration process the pools will have exceptional water quality with minimal chemical content, which will greatly improve the experience for swimmers compared to a standard pool.
Memberships for Exeter Leisure are available now from £25pm via the Exeter Leisure app or online by visiting Exeter Leisure Choices or the Exeter Leisure Website