Tameside Wellness Centre reaches new heights with rooftop gym and garden

COUNCIL leaders have praised the new rooftop facilities at Tameside Wellness Centre that are the jewel in the crown of the flagship building.

Tameside Council Leader Cllr Gerald Cooney, Denton North East Ward councillors Allison Gwynne, Vincent Ricci and Denise Ward, who is also Chair of Active Tameside’s Board of Trustees, joined Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne to cut the ribbon and declare the unique Rooftop Exercise Space and Sensory Garden officially open.

It was the realisation of a three-year vision for Active Tameside to offer a one-of a-kind health and wellbeing facility fully accessible to everyone in the borough-wide community.

The open-air zone at the centre on Lance Corporal Andrew Breeze Way, Denton, features state-of-the-art and world-class gym equipment, a workout area and a garden haven with seating and zoned sensory stimulation around sight, smell, touch and sound, providing a unique and holistic outdoor experience to exercise, relax and achieve wellbeing.

Councillor Denise Ward, who is also Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: “It was great to see the fantastic new facilities at Tameside Wellness Centre and the way the rooftop space has been used to create something for everyone, from those wanting a workout to the tranquillity of a sensory garden. They really are the jewel in the crown of this flagship building.

“We couldn’t be more proud of having this centre in our borough. I’m sure these state-of-the-art facilities will be well used, helping to bring people together and keep as active and healthy as possible.”

Active Tameside Chief Executive Chris Rushton gave guests a tour of the new facilities at the launch event which was followed by an open weekend when members had an exclusive preview opportunity to experience the space and everything it offers.

Mr Rushton said: “We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that along those 100 metres of roof there is something for everybody whatever your age, whatever your fitness, whatever your aspirations. You’ll find hardcore, heavy racks at one end and the serenity of a sensory garden at the other with everything in between.”

The exercise area features specialised strength and cardio equipment supplied by The Great Outdoor Company (TGO), customised training rigs and racks from BeaverFit and soon-to-be installed Smart Activator screens streaming virtual activities and classes.

The outdoor gym is open to members, casual users and Live Active service users, with Tameside Wellness Centre now offering its first-ever gym-only membership giving access to both outdoor equipment and indoor 27 and outdoor equipment for the first time.

The dedicated workout zone is designed to accommodate a wide range of instructor-led mind and body classes and will soon host a fully timetabled programme.

The Sensory Garden is set to be cultivated, maintained and tended by Active Tameside’s Everybody Can service users – adults and young people with disabilities/and or additional needs – as an extension to their existing allotment activities where they grow and harvest fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Active Tameside is a not-for-profit organisation which operates community leisure centres across the borough and provides an extensive programme of health and social care intervention services in partnership with Tameside Council.

As a charitable trust it reinvests every penny of profit back into providing high-quality leisure facilities and life-changing services to ensure everyone can live happy, healthy lives and reach their potential.

For more information on the Rooftop Exercise Space and Sensory Garden, visit: www.activetameside.com/rooftop-gym/