A Wigan leisure centre could be getting a new outdoor gym
The blueprint for a new, outdoor gymnasium has been submitted for consideration by Wigan Council planners.
The facility is being proposed to sit alongside Standish Leisure Centre on Rectory Lane.
According to the Design and Access Statement submitted with the application, the gym would be covered by a 4m-high steel canopy to allow year-round use in different weather conditions.
On 159m sq of land, the gym would be enclosed by 2m-high steel mesh fencing, with access controlled through the leisure centre building.
A storage container for equipment would also be installed within the enclosed area, designed to match the appearance of the existing building.
The plans include low-level lighting beneath the canopy, operating during the leisure centre's opening hours, and a 3m acoustic timber fence along the southern and eastern boundaries aimed at reducing noise.
Standish Leisure Centre opened in February 2020 and has established a fitness membership base of 1,733 alongside casual activity in the studio and pitches.
The application states: “The outdoor fitness space will provide the Centre with two additional benefits. The space will provide a second studio to deliver a range of group exercise sessions including low and high intensity for adults and young people. Sessions will be programmed between the hours of 7am and 8pm and operate throughout the year (dependant on external temperatures and weather conditions).
“Background music will be played throughout the group exercise sessions at levels where disturbance to the surrounding residential properties is mitigated. At this stage we anticipate a maximum of 5 group exercise sessions programme for the outdoor fitness space per day.
“Outside of the group exercise sessions the space will be made available to the gym membership base for individual training. The space will be available between the hours of 7am to 9pm throughout the year dependant on external temperatures. No music will be played when the space is programmed for this use with lighting controlled by movement sensors to ensure the space is illuminated only at times when the space is in use.”
The planning application is currently being considered by Wigan Council. A decision will be made following the consultation process and assessment by planning officers.
The photos show where the gym would go and images of what it would look like.