Our investment at TLC!
Members of the Hawick community, as well as the wider Borders and visitors to the area, can enjoy a healthier, happier, stronger lifestyle now that the £332,000 redevelopment of Teviotdale Leisure Centre (TLC) is complete.
Almost a year after the ambitious plans to upgrade the outdated facility were unveiled, an official launch took place last Friday to allow local dignitaries and interested parties to see for themselves the vast improvements that have been made.
The redevelopment of TLC was managed by Live Borders, the non-profit cultural and sport trust which is responsible for running the facility, and speaking at his second appearance as Chairman of the Live Borders Board, Bill White, told the small delegation: “These are exciting times for Live Borders.
“Having just launched our new strategy for 2018-2023, which focusses on healthier, happier and stronger people, this project goes a long way to delivering all these objectives and to expand our levels of participation and access to all people in the Borders and to create a sustainable charity.”
The project, which was completed over two phases, has saw the re-opening of the flume incorporating extensive behind-the-scenes work to the systems and plant room; an upgrade of the café, which prides itself on using locally-sourced healthy options along with popular favourites; the creation of a significantly larger and improved soft play area; a new state-of-the-art gym and exercise studio; and a new reception area.
Scott Weir, Live Borders’ Area Manager is one of many who are delighted with the redevelopment outcome. He said: “With stagnating footfall and ever-increasing costs of managing such a large facility, we recognised a great need to adapt what we were offering and get the public involved too.
“We wanted to create a destination facility for everyone to come and enjoy and going by the reaction and positive feedback we have had we have achieved all of our goals.
“What we have today is credit to everyone who worked and managed the project and I want to thank all involved including all the TLC staff and customers who have supported this project over the last year.”
TLC has been at the heart of the Hawick community since July 1982 when the new facility opened on the site of the town’s railway station, to a design by Faulkner-Brown, Hendy & Stonor of Newcastle. An impressive building in its heyday, and still currently the largest recreational amenity in the Scottish Borders.
Since then there have been many changes to the original facility although the outer façade has remained largely the same.
The ‘millennium’ flume was installed in 2001 following a huge fundraising drive in the town and over £25,000 in contributions from the Common Good Fund.
In July 2002, Borders Sport & Leisure Trust, now Live Borders, took over the running of the facility from Scottish Borders Council. The flume was closed due to age and operational costs in 2008 but, after working with a range of specialists and consultants, Live Borders made the decision to bring the popular attraction back to life.
Bill Cameron, 95, one of TLC’s oldest and longest serving members was one of the guests at Friday’s launch and was very impressed with the new look facility.
“They have done it up really nicely,” he said.
“Teviotdale Leisure Centre is a great place to come and spend your time. Everything is all under the same roof here and there is a great sense of community spirit and a real buzz created by all the new attractions.”
Thanks to the recent renovation project TLC is now set to provide a fantastic day out for all the family.
Live Borders is a charity. Every penny you spend with us is reinvested into supporting active, creative and healthy communities in the Scottish Borders.
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