Derby’s new Moorways Sports Village will open to the public on Saturday 21 May with a grand opening weekend – in time for the half term holidays.
The public will be able to try out the flumes and water slides in the thrilling Water Park, splash out in the 50m pool, and enjoy all the centre’s brand new facilities like the children’s soft play areas for the very first time.
Construction partner Bowmer + Kirkland worked with Derby City Council to ensure the £42 million complex was delivered on time and on budget.
The Council has appointed Everyone Active, a leading UK leisure operator, as its partner to manage the new iconic facility and the adjacent Moorways Stadium, with its outdoor athletics track and field facilities, and football pitches. Both sites remain in the Council’s ownership.
The opening of Moorways means that the last day of leisure operations at Queen’s Leisure Centre will be Sunday 8 May. On Monday 16 May the Council will officially hand over the keys to Moorways Sports Village to Everyone Active, and staff members transferring from Queen’s will be joined by new recruits to operate the new facilities.
In the week leading up to the grand opening weekend, Moorways Sports Village will start welcoming pre-invited schools, community groups and swimming clubs to try out the 50m swimming pool and selected other activities.
Claire Davenport, Derby City Council’s Director of Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “This has been a very exciting project to bring state-of-the-art leisure facilities to the city, and we’re thrilled that the wait is almost over and the people of Derby and beyond will get the chance to enjoy them.
“The high standard of facilities and flexible swimming space at Moorways will accommodate competitions, clubs, lessons and leisure swimmers. We are delighted to have Derby’s first Water Park to draw in visitors to have fun from across the region. The café and soft play areas will enable families to make the most of their time here.
“Having Moorways Stadium next door, with its outdoor track capable of hosting national competitions, alongside outdoor pitches, we have created a real sports village. We are pleased to have Everyone Active on board as our leisure operating partner, who specialise in encouraging communities to be active, maximising the opportunities these fantastic facilities provide.”
Simon Morgan, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “This wonderful new facility has an activity for everyone, no matter what your age, interests or ability and will serve the local community for years to come.
“We are incredibly proud to have been chosen as the operator by Derby City Council and cannot wait to throw open the doors next month.
“The public will soon be able to use the wealth of top-of-the-range facilities and we very much look forward to welcoming them.”
At Moorways Sports Village the 50m pool has moveable floors and booms which means it can be divided into three 25m length pools of varying depths, offering flexibility for club and leisure use. There is seating for over 400 spectators. A separate teaching pool, with a depth of 1 metre, can be screened off for private hire and children’s parties.
The Water Park is set to become a regional attraction with its gently sloping floor into the leisure pool, which has the only wave-creating Wow ball in use in a UK public pool. It also has two four-storey flumes, the first wave rider in England, a racer slide and fun water play area for children.
A spa area with a sauna and steam room complements the swimming offer, and further attractions include a café area with views over the Water Park and 50m pool. The café also has a soft play area, with a separate, larger soft playroom by the main reception.
There will also be a 120 station gym, meeting rooms available for hire and three fitness studios, one with views across to Moorways Stadium.
Accessibility has been designed into the building, with features including a Changing Places changing room and toilet, in-built steps and a lift into the main swimming pool, and a Poolpod lift to enable independent entry into the water. The teaching pool has a portable iSwim hoist to provide convenient access.