Heriot-Watt University announces closure of Galashiels gym

Ally McGilvray • Published 12 Jun 2010 13:47 0 Comments

ONE of the busiest gyms in Galashiels is to close at the end of next month, it has been confirmed.

Heriot-Watt University has revealed the health and fitness suite in the Jackson building at Netherdale, which was open to both students and the wider community, will shut on July 31.

It is to be demolished as part of multi-million pound plans to build new halls of residence on the site.

However, as revealed in the Border Telegraph earlier this year, the university has confirmed it is to open a brand new state-of-the-art health and fitness centre on its Scottish Borders campus in conjunction with Borders Sport and Leisure Trust in August.

It is understood the £400,000 development, which will also become the new base for the Borders Academy of Sporting Excellence at Borders College, will be housed in the neighbouring building formerly occupied by Scotia Kids and is the first partnership of its kind in Scotland.

In a letter to members this week, Laura Page, development co-ordinator of sport and exercise at Heriot-Watt University, said: "The announcement that Heriot-Watt University is to invest in the redevelopment of its Halls of Residences at the Scottish Borders campus has offered an additional opportunity to upgrade the sport and exercise provision offered to students and staff and to members of the wider community.

"I am delighted to say that in a ground-breaking partnership, and a first for community sport in Scotland, a new facility bringing together a unique partnership between Borders Sport and Leisure Trust, Borders College and Heriot-Watt University, a brand new indoor health and fitness centre for the Scottish Borders will be opening in August 2010.

"This £400,000 centre will combine a state-of-the-art fitness suite offering a wide range of the latest cardiovascular, resistant and free weight fitness equipment together with a purpose built dance studio complimented with a comprehensive group exercise class programme."

The 760 square metre purpose built centre will be managed by Borders Sports and Leisure Trust which already runs a number of gyms and swimming pools across the region.

However, detailed plans of the new facility together with a name are to be announced at a later date.

"Due to increased demand for health and fitness in the Borders, the new centre will replace the facilities currently based at the Jackson building and provide a range of health and fitness services by highly professional, qualified staff and encourage more people to become more active more often."

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