Your Community Leisure Centre
Last summer, trustees and staff felt a quiet sense of pride and achievement as RiversMeet celebrated five years since its re-launch as a community-owned and led venture, demonstrating that the community model can be a viable way to provide leisure services. Alan Waistell, General Manager, stresses that ‘it is important that every person and organisation within the local community understands that this is very much their centre. As a non-profit making charitable trust, any trading surplus generated is re-invested into the centre. The support received over the past few years from Gillingham and the locality enables us in 2017 to look forward to continued development and success, bringing new ideas and leisure opportunities to people of all ages from the local community.’
The Facilities
Over the past year, the centre has strived to improve and expand the facilities and activities on offer. The extended Dance Studio now incorporates a fantastic Light Show, taking classes like ‘Clubbercize’ and ‘Spinning’ to a new dimension and providing an ideal venue for ‘Disco Parties’.
Even if not using the centre itself, it is well worth visiting the community owned Café @ RiversMeet to discover the reasonably priced menu of hot & cold meals, snacks, icecreams and refreshments. In warmer weather, you can relax outside under the trees and if accompanied by children, visit the newly refurbished adjacent park. The café can also cater for parties and functions held at the centre and there are lovely function rooms available to hire on the top floor.
The impressive new Soft Play Area has become the perfect local venue for babies, toddlers and children to have fun and keep fit, whilst parents and carers can join in or relax in the comfortable viewing areas. During holidays, the giant inflatable is used for high energy instructor led Nerf Mania Sessions and in the swimming pool at weekends and during school holidays, two brand new ‘Giant & Mini’ Inflatables also provide fun and entertainment for all ages.
Membership & Activities for All
Whilst the centre continues to offer ‘pay as you go’ options, Alan confirms that it is the ‘no contract/no tie in’ flexible range of memberships which are now the preferred choice as they are easy to alter, cancel or freeze. The top ‘platinum’ membership includes unlimited use of the gym and pool and all exercise classes offering exceptional value.
RiversMeet now provides a huge range of activities. For children, Swim School starts with ‘Ducklings’ and progresses up to ASA Level 10. Older children can join Junior Gym, the Junior Lifeguard Academy or start Swim Coach Training. There is Trampoline and Gymnastics Coaching from preschool age upwards, a thriving Junior Badminton Academy, and NPLQ Lifeguard Training for those aged 16+. Outside organisations also provide Tae Kwondo, Rugby Tots, Dance, Moo Music and Swim Club.
For adults, as well as the gym and pool, there is an extensive range of Exercise Classes, including Pilates, Yoga, Veraflow, Super Seniors and Aquafit. The site also proudly hosts the Marnhull & Gillingham Badminton Club, as well as Slimming World and many other local clubs and organisations.
Find Out More
If you would like to know more about RiversMeet, Alan encourages you to visit and receive a warm and friendly welcome from the team, who will be happy to show you around and talk about you and your family’s leisure needs. You can also follow the centre on Facebook or visit their website. The team at RiversMeet really look forward to welcoming you to your community centre soon!
