Wokingham Borough Connect
 Improving the borough's leisure facilities
Our decision-making Executive has approved proposals to deliver the Leisure Strategy (2021-25).
Enhancements at The Forest School
The proposal includes using Section 106 (money paid by housing developers for new and improved facilities) funding to enhance sports facilities at The Forest School in Winnersh.
This includes improvements to the swimming pool floor, refurbishment of the gym with the installation of air conditioning, enhancement of gym equipment and equipment for sports pitches.
Enhancements to the school’s gym is expected to cost £133,000 and the swimming pool improvements is expected to cost £74,000. £1,000 is allocated for new equipment for the sports pitches.
New 3G pitch proposed
A new 3G pitch in the borough is also proposed, subject to planning permission, Football Foundation funding and public consultation. The new pitch would address the shortfall in 3G provision and cater for the demand from affiliated footballs clubs and the local community, as identified in a Local Football Facility Plan conducted by the Football Foundation.
Previously Laurel Park in Earley had been considered for the site of the new 3G pitch, however a technical appraisal has taken place to include the original option and five other proposed sites.
These include Maiden Erlegh School in Earley, Chalfont Park in Earley, Lower Earley Events Field, the field next to Sindlesham Mill in Earley and Meredith Way in Earley.
The technical appraisal identified the site at Maiden Erlegh School would be the most suitable location for the new 3G pitch but no decision will be made until a full public consultation is held in September.
The cost of the 3G pitch with associated works is around £800,000. The council would contribute £300,000 and the Football Foundation would contribute £500,000 towards the project.
 Outdoor classes at Cantley Park
We are running a series of outdoor SHINE exercise classes until 29 September.
The classes run weekly at Cantley Park in Wokingham and you can choose from Yoga or Pilates. It is a great way to get fit, have fun and meet others.
The daily classes are:
- Monday - Yoga at 5.30pm (also open to non-SHINE members)
- Tuesday - Pilates at 5pm (SHINE only)
- Wednesday - Yoga at 2pm (SHINE only)
- Thursday - Pilates at 10am and 12.30pm (SHINE only)
If you are a SHINE member, you can book a class by visiting our booking website and signing in.
For non-SHINE members, you can register and book a class by visiting our booking website.
 SHINE at the Carnival Hub
Did you know we are now running some of our popular SHINE activities at the Wokingham Leisure Centre @ Carnival Hub?
There are group activities for residents aged 55 and over. SHINE is a great opportunity to get out, get fit and make new friends whilst enjoying classes developed just for you.
New sessions running at the Hub include Latin fitness, body conditioning, low-intensity exercise, Zumba, circuits, Yoga, Nordic walking, badminton, low impact aerobics, Pilates and more. You can view a timetable of all the SHINE classes, which run at venues across the borough, on the bookings page.
You can find out more about how to sign up to SHINE activities on our website. SHINE is free to join and classes cost £5.20 each on a pay as you go basis, or £43 for a pack of ten session credits.
 Summer activity camps update
There is still time to enrol your child into this summer's Power-Up Activity Camps at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre in Lower Earley. The camps offer a range of fun and sporting activities to keep borough children active and entertained.
The camps are open to borough children aged five to 12 years old and run until 2 September, excluding the bank holiday on 29 August.
Activities include:
- Pool fun
- Basketball
- Inflatable fun
- Hockey
- Martial arts
- Football
- Tennis
- Cricket and more
To book your child’s place, visit our website. Residents can also book online for the October half-term activity camps and receive 15 per cent off by using discount code OCTOBER15 at the checkout. Discount valid until 2 September.
*Classes subject to availability. Power-Up Kids Activity Camps is a separate scheme (paid by parents) to the government-funded Holiday, Activities and Food Programme.
Carnival Hub update
Sadly, we are not able to run the Power-Up Activity Camp session(s) at the new Wokingham Leisure Centre @ Carnival Hub this summer. Unfortunately, we have received confirmation that our Ofsted registration won’t be completed this summer due to a high backlog of cases Ofsted is having to process. Without the registration, we are unable to run sessions at Carnival Hub.
We have contacted residents to offer the option to transfer their booking to Loddon Valley Leisure Centre (Ofsted registered) which has extended capacity or to receive a refund or credit note. If you have not heard from us, please email powerup@wokingham.gov.uk
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and look forward to welcoming you to our camp.
 Exercise instructors wanted
Our Sport and Leisure team is looking for new exercise instructors to help run a variety of classes and expand our programme.
We are looking for self-employed instructors who teach bootcamp, circuits, aquafit, Yoga and any other fitness classes with relevant qualifications to join us, paying £25 per hour.
Ideally, you will be available for evenings and weekends, but we also have some daytime roles available.
You will mainly be based at the Wokingham Leisure Centre @ Carnival Hub, with some activities running at other locations around the borough.
Safeguarding training is provided, but first aid training is required. If you are interested, send your qualifications to sport@wokingham.gov.uk
 Boxing hub available to hire
Are you looking to hire state-of-the-art, boxing facilities?
Our boxing hub in Peach Place could offer the perfect environment for private hire or delivering personal training sessions. You will have access to our fantastic facilities including a training ring, a functional storage rig with three fitness stations, a functional cube rig with attachments for four to six fitness stations, aquabags, heavy bags, uppercut bags and more.
You can hire our facility from as little as £12.50 per session. For more information or to arrange a free tour, email bxgfit@wokingham.gov.uk
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