Armoury clean bill of health a year on

 

It is 12 months since local lad Chris Stephens signed an agreement with Welshpool Town Council to revive the Recreation Centre’s flagging fortunes, bringing in personal trainer Chris Greatorex as its manager, and they haven’t looked back since.

 

The facility was haemorrhaging Welshpool tax payers’ money at an estimated rate of £80,000 a year, its equipment and interior was showing its age and the centre’s immediate future was in doubt.

 

But Chris and Chris saw an opportunity and a year on it has become a success story, attracting members from across the area drawn by its transformation into a state-of-the-art fitness centre.

 

“It’s been a busy year and we are really pleased with the support we have received from the area,” said Chris Greatorex. “We have classes to suit just about everyone and our equipment has been completely overhauled so we have the look and feel of a new and fresh fitness centre.”

 

But the lads haven’t rested on their laurels. The latest phase of improvement has included refurbishment to the male and female changing facilities and the bar has been revamped into a licensed members’ room complete with satellite TV and pool table.

 

The evolution continues this month. In order to best utilise the space, work will begin to convert one of the two squash courts into a Ladies Gym and an Over 50’s facility. The other squash court will remain.

 

And despite a range of classes that would be fitting for any major gym brand, two new classes – body pump and body attack – will also be introduced this month.

 

“We listen to what our customers tell us and try to tailor classes to suit,” said Chris. “We have been really pleased with the number of members that have joined but will hopefully attract more this New Year. All I can ask people to do is to come down to have a look and I am sure they will be pleasantly surprised by what they see.

 

“We have top instructors for each class as well as a fully equipped gym which can handle large numbers of members working out at any one time in a friendly environment. The new ladies and over 50’s facilities will provide privacy as well.”