NEWS

Progressive Celebrates Half A Century in Business

New Spa Provides A Boost For Welsh Wellness Sector North Wales has received a wellbeing boost with the arrival of the Wave Garden Spa, a new £1.25m 650m2 luxury destination spa. Located within the grounds of the Adventure Parc Snowdonia in the Conwy Valley – an award-winning adventure resort which is home to the world’s first inland surf lagoon – the Wave Garden Spa has been carefully designed to make the most of its natural resources and the magnificent landscapes of Snowdonia. The Wave Garden Spa is all about pure water, fresh air and freedom. Guests will be able to relax and unwind as they enjoy the sound of waves and views of the mountains and forests, bathe in pools fed with chemical free water and enjoy unique cleansing and purifying treatments, contemporary design and a stunning heated sensory spa garden. Inside the spa, a fragrant thermal journey welcomes visitors with its vitality waterfall pool, steam room and iconic

oversized Himalayan salt sauna, all of which have views out across the surf lagoon to the mountains and forests beyond. The Wave Garden Spa will also be the only one in North Wales where guests can have a complete immersion in the steam-based cleansing and purifying rituals of a traditional Hammam. Outside, there is a warm hydrotherapy pool, loungers, relaxation pods and fire pits to keep guests cosy. A traditional wooden barrel sauna, fragrant herb garden and yoga studio complete the outdoor experience. Announcing the opening of the Wave Garden Spa, Adventure Parc Snowdonia’s Managing Director, Andy Ainscough said: “The Wave Garden Spa is the exciting next step in our plans for Adventure Parc Snowdonia to be a destination for wellbeing, incorporating exhilarating activities and adventures with the finest facilities to de-stress, relax and rejuvenate.”

Swimming Pool Supplies Ltd – better known to many as ‘Progressive Pools’ Is celebrating 50 years in the pool industry. Established in 1971 by the previous owner John Taylor, ‘progressive’ were originally located in a garden centre in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. In 1984 they relocated to Rugby in Warwickshire, where they continued to thrive for 35 years. In 2019 they re-located again to Brandon, also in Warwickshire to a local landmark which is fondly remembered as the Old Ferrari garage – this new and current home perfectly suiting the needs of an everevolving business. Things have moved on quite a lot over the 50 years. John, the previous owner had many stories to tell, including one of him in the early days, accosting bin men to help dig out pools with shovels, then carrying the spoil through the house… all this after them doing a day on the bins! In 2011 John, at the age of 70, agreed that he was tired, and so was the business. So, after ten years, as a pool engineer, under the ‘progressive’ label Carl Enticott MISPE acquired the business with John finally relinquishing his role. John said following his retirement, he has never been so busy! Since 2011, Carl has made changes to the ethos of ‘progressive’, making it the thriving company it is today. His respect, motivation and high standards has created a great and enthusiastic team. In 2020, Carl elected Graham Westerby (also a former ‘progressive’ pool engineer) to assist with the directorship of the business, to further develop the company to the next stage and ensure that the business is in good stead for the next milestone. Progressive Pools 01788 577005 www.progressive-pools.com

Survey Reveals Pandemic’s Devastating Impact On Leisure Centres And Pools A recent survey has revealed that one in three district councils expect to be forced to close swimming pools and gyms due to the devastating financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with 117 leisure centres in England estimated to be at risk of closure. The District Councils’ Network, which represents 180 district councils providing leisure services in England, found 36% of its members thought it likely they would need to close one or more leisure centres, while a quarter said it was ‘extremely likely’. Its survey also revealed: • Nearly a fifth of those councils expecting to have to cut services said they were considering shutting three or more leisure centres. Almost four in ten said at least two would close in their area. • 19% of councils say centres will go out of business within the next three months and over half (59%) within the year. • Of those able to remain open, 80% are

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warning they will have no choice but to strip back many services. The findings come as the Government makes tackling obesity and improving people’s health and wellbeing a central pillar to its pandemic recovery strategy. The closure of leisure centres would also undermine Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy, a ten-year vision endorsed by ministers to transform lives and communities through sport and physical activity. While government funding to support leisure centres during the pandemic has been helpful, the DCN warns it falls far short of plugging the £325m funding gap faced by district council-run leisure services. District Councils’ Network 020 7664 3048 www.districtcouncils.info

www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 27/06/2021 12:21