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FAQs
What will the transformation create?
What changes will there be to the current programme during the transformation?
How long will the transformation take?
Why is the Club not being closed during the works?
Has energy conservation and sustainability been designed into the development?
Why are the rest of the Club levels not being refurbished?
Will it be dusty and noisy?
Why was the sauna removed?
Will the piano be moved back into the Study Room?
What will happen to the climbing wall?
What differences will be seen in the new female changing area?
Will there still be music in the new changing rooms?
Will the showers be open plan or in cubicles?
Will the new changing rooms feature spin dryers?
Will plastic bag provision continue in the new changing rooms?
Will the coat hooks be replaced?
Which channels will be played over the televisions and sound system?
Why have we changed to push buttons showers and touch free taps rather than manual controls?
How were decisions made regarding Male Changing Area layout?
When will the swimming pool stairs re-open?
Why did the swimming pool close in December?
Why are the poolside showers being removed?
What will the transformation create?
The result will be a Club with larger, state-of-the-art changing facilities, better ventilation/air-conditioning, more studio space, extra capacity in the cardio zone, a new cycling studio and improved holistic therapy rooms. We will be increasing our community programme, reaching more local people with a view to creating a fitter, healthier community.
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What changes will there be to the current programme during the transformation?
There will be minimal changes to the current programme and any changes/relocation of activities will be communicated, with as much notice as possible via the various communication tools we have put in place. We will add new classes when the new Exercise Studios are available for use.
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How long will the transformation take?
The proposed end date for the transformation is now mid-February 2009.
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Why is the Club not being closed during the works?
We anticipate being able to continue full provision of our current programme during the works, as mentioned above.
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Has energy conservation and sustainability been designed into the development.
We will make every effort to ensure that materials used are sustainable and that all areas developed will be as energy-efficient as possible within the constraints of the budget available.
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Why are the rest of the Club levels not being refurbished?
The development plans are based upon member feedback collected over the last 3-5 years and areas were prioritised on this basis, as well as the general need for updating the facilities, which was last done 10 years ago.
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Will it be dusty and noisy?
Every effort will be made to minimise the effect on members and staff and prior notice will be given to members of planned disturbances so that members may schedule their workouts accordingly. The most up to date information will be displayed on www.morethanjustagym.co.uk and on signs/screens in the Club.
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Why was the sauna removed?
To enable the Club to create a facility that has full disability access, we are installing a new disabled lift, from the rear of the new male and female changing rooms, to pool level.
To accommodate this, the sauna had to be removed and as you can see from the ‘transformation’ literature, there are currently no plans to replace or relocate the sauna cabin.
This is because HM Revenue and Customs are currently investigating some Charitable health and fitness venues, similar to Central YMCA, indicating that they believe that the presence of a sauna, means VAT has to be charged on the total membership fees, whereas without a sauna, this is not the case. Their opinion is being challenged through the courts and though we believe our circumstances to be different to those clubs being challenged, we believe the prudent course of action is to remove the sauna. This will avoid any possibility of having to add 17.5% to your membership fees.
Once the situation is clearer this decision can be reviewed.
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Will the piano be moved back into the Study Room?
Once the transformation is complete, the piano will be moved back into the Study Room – notice will be given via posters in the Club and via this website.
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What will happen to the climbing wall?
The climbing wall will remain as is, but will be lit to highlight it. The Climbing Club will be postponed during some of the work and will resume once completed. This will be communicated on this website and via posters in the Club.
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What differences will be seen in the new female changing area?
The new changing area layout is set to cater for a maximum number of 250 users. The bench capacity will be increased and the floor space will increase by approximately 100%. Spin dryers will be added to the new changing rooms and all existing lockers will be replaced with brand new coin return lockers.
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Will there still be music in the new changing rooms?
Final details of audio-visual equipment is yet to be finalised.
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Will the showers be open plan or in cubicles?
Based upon feedback we have received over recent years, all showers in both the new men's and women's changing rooms will in cubicles - see plans page.
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Will the new changing rooms feature spin dryers?
Yes - both the new male and female changing rooms will feature spin dryers for swimwear.
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Will plastic bag provision continue in the new changing rooms?
In line with the Club's environmental policy, it has been decided that the plastic bags will be removed upon completion of the new changing rooms. There will be spin dryers in both the new male and female changing rooms for drying swimming costumes.
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Will the coat hooks be replaced?
We are currently investigating the purchasing of new coat hooks and where they will be located. Further information will be supplied in due course.
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Which channels will be played over the televisions and sound system?
The new audio visual system is not yet commissioned and further information regarding channel selections in specific areas will will supplied in due course.
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Why have we changed to push buttons showers and touch free taps rather than manual controls?
One of the areas of development within the CYMCA is to reduce our carbon footprint and improve our usage of resources. In order to comply with building regulations, and improve our environmental efficiency, we have included a number of energy saving initiatives within the design of the new areas. Water use was another main area for action. Having monitored the old shower arrangement we identified that some users did not turn showers off after use wasting a considerable amount of water. To avoid this and reduce our water usage we installed push button operation showers, sensor taps and sensor flush mechanism on toilets. The timers are set in the male showers for 45 seconds which at present appears to be sufficient for users. We are able to adjust the timers to be less time if required but for now we will leave them at 45 seconds and monitor our water usage regularly. We have retained the manual control for the water temperature as a feature that members requested.
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How were decisions made regarding Male Changing Area layout?
The open plan design of the new Male Changing Area was based upon feedback received over several years from members through annual surveys and comments. There are more lockers than the old changing area and an equal amount of benches. However the benches have been located away from the lockers to improve access to the lockers, improve circulation and to create a feeling of space. The circulation areas were also designed in compliance with DDA guidelines. Cubicled showers and improved air handling were the most commonly requested improvements in Member feedback. The air handling in the Male Changing Area is currently operating at 50% capacity and will be fully commissioned upon completion of the new Female Changing Area. A review of operational issues in the Changing Areas will be held in due course.
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When will the swimming pool stairs re-open?
The swimming pool staircase is scheduled to reopen in mid-January upon completion of the Female Changing Area and stairwell works. Until then, the only access to the pool is by the main stairs through the club. We ask swimmers to follow the white tape and carpet and to wear footwear – flip flops are available for £2 from Club Reception.
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Why did the swimming pool close in December?
The swimming pool was closed for a week at the beginning of December to re-route some pipe work that ran through the new Female Changing Area. We apologise for the short notice given for this closure, but will avoid any maintenance closure during 2009 as a result. The swimming pool will reopen on Tuesday 9th December at 6.30am. Please note however that the water will be cold and will not reach normal temperature until Wednesday 10th December.
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Why are the poolside showers being removed?
To make the swimming pool more accessible, a lift is being installed in the stairwell at the back of the pool in alignment with DDA guidelines. This makes it necessary to clear away the existing showers and poolside changing room. Once the pool stairs re-open, all swimmers will be expected to shower downstairs in the changing rooms before coming on to poolside. New poolside showers will be considered as part of any future works.
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