Page 39 - Real Rochdale Issue 09 Winter 2020

Castleton Health and Leisure Centre has “We’ve had some really great feedback, and
undergone a major rebrand – encompassing we’re looking forward to keeping going,
its complementary health and wellbeing keeping people fit and helping boost morale
services under new banners of fitness, that little bit more.”
well-being and empowerment – resulting in a
fresh new look. The venue also offers a range of
complementary health and wellbeing
Following government guidelines, the services, CHL Empowerment (formerly
well-used Edwardian baths closed its doors Enlightening) and CHL Well-being (formerly
earlier this year on 19 March: reopening on 8 True Serenity), encompassing a full range of
August. Whilst the country awaited the creative activities and alternative therapies
reopening of gyms and swimming pools, work such as massage, reiki, reiki training, Bowen
went on behind the scenes at the Technique, reflexology, plus support for
110-year-old baths. PTSD and mental health.

Ordinarily, the leisure centre could not have FloatFit is the newest fitness class at
afforded to close whilst repairs and Castleton Health and Leisure Centre – and is
improvements were carried out. However, fully Covid-safe, but what is it?
the lockdown period proved to be perfect
timing to drain the pool dry (after discovering Created by AquaPhysical, FloatFit is a group
a leak), sand and repaint it. exercise class with a twist – taking a classic
30-minute bodyweight workout and applying
The former Castleton Baths re-opened its it to a special inflatable floating exercise mat
doors to the public under its new name – The work completed during lockdown also A one-way system is now in place, and hand called the AquaBase – yes, really! The boards
Castleton Health and Leisure Centre – in included a full repaint of the pool, converting sanitiser stations have been installed, with at Castleton are distanced 2m apart, perfect
October 2017, after the pool’s long-term all lights to eco-friendly LED bulbs, staff at the venue working with local for keeping fit at this challenging time.
future was secured following a community revamping the first-floor gallery to increase swimming clubs to ensure the pool and its
asset transfer to local businessman Nick the viewing area for the public, renovating facilities were Covid-safe before reopening. You can choose between Balance, inspired
Crewe, who restored the baths to their the ceilings in both changing rooms, by yoga and pilates, or high intensity inter-
former glory. refurbishing the pool steps, and bringing Facility manager Jo Potts said: “We’ve been val training. There’s even a session for kids,
back five swimming lanes. offering ‘family pods’, to hire a quarter of the called Grow.
pool out at a time. We’ve also made the pool
a little bit warmer than usual, so we’ve had Jo added: “FloatFit is an amazing core and
lots of lockdown babies experiencing cardio workout which is fun for any age
swimming for the first time! group. No matter which class you choose,
you’ll definitely reap the benefits without
realising how hard you’re working.”

Facility manager Jo Potts (left) previously
won the ‘She Inspires’ award in 2019 for her
contribution to fitness and well-being, after
she featured in a book celebrating the
centenary of women’s suffrage, ‘100
Women, 100 Stories’.

Jo featured in the book by Gulnaz Brennan
for her contributions to holistic health and
spirituality through the True Serenity and
Enlightening businesses.

REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2020 38 39 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2020