Fitness and health in £16m Peepul Centre

Belgrave Baheno, the Asian Womens Organisation, has announced the development of the £16m Peepul Centre in Leicester – a regeneration project incorporating sports facilities and a health wing – which is set to open on 1 September 2005.

The centre, which expects to have 220,000 members of all ages and cultures, has received awards from The Millennium Commission, Arts Council England, East Midlands Development Agency, European Regional Development Fund and Leicester City Council.

Sport England is funding a sports hall, fitness suites, an education room, an exercise studio and positions on the fitness team – which will work closely with the local Primary Care Trust – while the Big Lottery Fund is backing a wellbeing zone. The services will offer both membership and pay and play schemes.

The 60,000sq ft (5,600sq m) centre, designed by Andrzej Blonski Architects, also features a 1,700sq ft (160sq m) aqua spa offering nine different spa experiences; eight therapy rooms for counselling and alternative therapies and a 120-seat restaurant.

The centre will cover 70 per cent of costs and apply for grant aid for specific learning courses. Details: www.peepulcentre.com