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ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACTIVE MID DEVON
Major Poolside Upgrades Coming to Active Tiverton
Mid Devon District Council is significantly investing in Active Tiverton (formally Exe Valley Leisure Centre) with upgrades to its poolside changing facilities.
Work on the new leisure changing rooms will begin on 21 April and is expected to be completed by 6 June 2025. From 21 April onward, swimmers will need to arrive “swim ready” and leave without changing onsite, as the changing rooms will remain closed until the refurbishment is complete. As part of this process, the swimming pools will be closed from 12 to 28 May for essential repairs.
The work is part of a wider improvement programme that also coincides with the launch of the new look leisure service, Active Mid Devon.
Active Mid Devon is about getting more people more active, as well as being active in our communities. Our staff at all three sites, in Cullompton, Tiverton and Crediton undertake customer health checks, work with GPs on health referral schemes and encourage clubs to meet and socialise on site. We feel this new name, and a new look, will encompass this and shows our customers that we offer much more than sports halls to hire and swimming sessions to attend.
Andy Mackie, Leisure Operations Manager, commented:
“We are thrilled to bring these upgrades to Active Tiverton. We know these improvements will provide a more comfortable and accessible environment for everyone who uses the centre.
While we understand there will be a temporary inconvenience, we ask for your patience as we carry out this work. This is part of our continued investment in the facilities and services that benefit the entire community.”
The upgraded changing rooms will reopen on 6 June 2025, offering a fresh, modern, and more comfortable environment.
New Changing Rooms – Your questions answered
How long are the changing rooms going to be closed?
The changing rooms will be closed from 21st April until 6th June.
Both pools will remain open for the majority of this time, however, the pools will be closed between 12th and 28th May.
Are there alternative changing rooms I can use i.e. dryside?
No. Due to capacity and health and safety this is not an option.
What toilets can I use when using the pool?
We strongly encourage customers to use the toilet facilities in reception before entering the pool. Should you need to use the toilet urgently please talk to a member of staff.
Can I pause my membership?
Have you thought about using any other facilities?
We can upgrade your membership free of charge so you can experience all the great activities we have on offer including classes, gym & racquet sports.
If you’re unable to take advantage of this great offer, please speak to a member of the team who will be happy to suspend your membership for the duration of the works.
For all other questions about your membership please email active@middevon.gov.uk.
Will my child’s space in the lessons be held if I pause for this period?
Yes. Please speak to a member of the team for more information.
What is “swim ready”?
We’d recommend wearing loose/easy fitting clothes to aide getting dressed again on poolside and using robes or large beach towels for discretion.
Mid Devon is Now Active
A new leisure journey has begun in Mid Devon with the launch of Active Mid Devon.
The shift from Mid Devon Leisure to join the nationally recognised “active” branding, used by many other organisations, represents the council’s wish to provide more than just leisure facilities, with a move towards encouraging healthy lifestyles through physical activity, health checks and socialising.
While already boasting more than 6000 members, running more than 100 classes each week, and attracting tens of thousands of swimmers to its pools every month, the leisure staff are already busy supporting customers with their fitness goals. But they do much more and staff at all three sites, in Cullompton, Tiverton and Crediton also undertake customer health checks, work with GPs on health referral schemes and encourage clubs to meet and socialise on site.
Now a new look will encompass this and shows our customers that we offer much more than sports halls to hire and swimming sessions to attend.
As part of Active Mid Devon we have, today, launched a new booking system for customers which gives them greater control over their bookings and account. The booking system will allow customers to manage their classes, view live schedules, pay fees and set up reminders.
Customers will have to register on the new system and create an account to access classes and bookings. It takes just a few minutes and is free to register.
Customers will notice a number of other changes, with the launch of a new app coming soon, but we want to assure our members and casual users that their classes will remain the same and they do not need to amend any direct debits.
Andy Mackie, Operations Manager for Leisure, said: “These changes are about embarking on a new leisure journey that encompasses fitness, mental wellness and social connections. For many years our leisure centres have offered much more than classes and gyms and now we are recognising this with a new vision and approach. This is about offering our customers more of what they want, and an easier way to take part, whether you are a casual swim user or take part in multiple classes a week. Customers will now have greater control over their bookings, can check course progress and manage their accounts.”
The new booking system, which in the first instance is available to members, is now live.
Non members will be able to view classes online and register, but until our payment system is integrated, which will take place in the coming days, will not be able to book a class or activity online.
Major poolside upgrades coming to Active Crediton
Mid Devon District Council is significantly investing in Active Crediton with upgrades to the poolside changing facilities.
Having remained largely unchanged since 1998, the facilities will now be modernised to enhance comfort and accessibility for all users.
Work on the new leisure changing rooms began on 10 March and is expected to be completed by 25 April 2025. As part of this process, the swimming pools was closed from 10 to 14 March for essential ceiling repairs. From 15 March onward, swimmers will need to arrive “swim ready” as the changing rooms will remain closed until the refurbishment is complete.
Councillor Josh Wright, Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement, said:
“We recognise that this temporary inconvenience may pose challenges for some users, and we appreciate your patience as we work to deliver a significantly improved experience.
“This investment ensures that Lords Meadow will continue to provide high-quality leisure facilities for the community.”
The upgraded changing rooms will reopen on 25 April 2025, offering a fresh, modern, and more comfortable environment. Following this project, similar improvements will be made to Active Tiverton’s poolside facilities.
For more information and updates, follow Mid Devon Leisure on Facebook.
These upgrades follow a series of investments to leisure facilities in recent years, which include:
- More than £140,000 invested in a refit of the Culm Valley gym and fitness studio.
- The installation of two fully accessible, Changing Place Toilets at Exe Valley and Culm Valley.
- Substantial investment in environmental sustainability including the installation of LED lights, and ground and air source heat pumps.
New Changing Rooms – Your questions answered
How long are the changing rooms going to be closed?
The changing rooms will be unavailable from 10th March until the 25th April 2025. Please note both pools will be closed 10th-14th March, after this time both pools will be open, however the changing facilities will remain unavailable. We are aiming to keep the communal showers available, although there may be some disruption of which we will keep you informed.
Are there alternative changing rooms I can use i.e. dryside?
No. Due to capacity and health and safety this is not an option.
What toilets can I use when using the pool?
We strongly encourage customers to use the toilet facilities in reception before entering the pool. Should you need to use the toilet urgently there will be a portable toilet available for your use.
Can I pause my membership?
Did you know with your membership you can use our Active Tiverton site to swim?
Have you thought about using any other facilities? We can upgrade your membership free of charge so you can experience all the great activities we have on offer including classes, gym & racquet sports.
For all other questions about your membership please email active@middevon.gov.uk.
Will my child’s space in the lessons be held if I pause for this period?
Yes. Please speak to a member of the team for more information.
What is “swim ready”?
We’d recommend wearing loose/easy fitting clothes to aide getting dressed again on poolside and using robes or large beach towels for discretion.
All 3 of our leisure centres now have InPost lockers on site!
Collect, send and return parcels quickly, with contact-free delivery!
Whilst you’re there, get in a workout, sauna, swim, exercise class, game of pickleball, etc…!
