Stroud District Council’s transition and rebrand of the leisure services at the Pulse Dursley and Stratford Park into Active Lifestyles initiative is committed to fostering a vibrant, health-focused community by placing our customers at the heart of everything we do.

Our ambition is to create a customer-centric service that prioritizes the needs, aspirations, and well-being of our community. By enhancing the quality and accessibility of our programs and services, we aim to promote active, healthy lifestyles for all.

We recognize that meaningful change comes from collaboration, which is why we will be actively engaging with our customers through regular forums and consultations. These platforms will provide opportunities for open dialogue, allowing us to gather valuable insights that drive continuous improvement and innovation across our offerings. Together, we will shape a dynamic, responsive service that supports the physical and mental well-being of our community, making Stroud District a leading example of health, inclusivity, and active living.

Firstly, welcome to our new leisure service for Stroud District. 

From Friday 1 November, Stroud District Council will take over the management and running of the leisure centre in Stratford Park, Stroud.

It’s part of a £2.7million investment over 5 years to repair and improve the centre, which was built in 1975. Initially we will be upgrading the fundamentals including brickwork repairs, roofing, decoration, doors, flooring, air conditioning upgrades, lighting, and the external toilet block.

However, when the centre reopens it doors on Saturday 9 November 2024, one of the big changes will be a new and improved café. We’ve given it more than just a lick of paint and new furniture. It will be open to all, serving a new menu packed with healthy, locally sourced food. Don’t panic though, homemade cakes and treats will also be on offer alongside barista-style coffees and a range of teas.

The investment also includes work on the 88-year-old Lido at Stratford Park including repairing the Lido ‘tank’ and replacing the pumps and plant. It is also planned to use excess energy from the newly installed leisure centre air source heat pump system to increase the Lido temperature by an estimated 3 to 5 degrees centigrade.

These are the first steps on an ambitious programme to secure and future-proof the provision of leisure and wellbeing services in our district.

Please come along and see for yourself.

Beki

Thank you to everyone who has made these changes happen. This project is very close to my heart, as I’ve been involved with it since day one. Over the last year, my team has work tirelessly to make sure the changes happen as smoothly as possible. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding and I urge you all to come into one of our centres and see for yourself. 

These changes are about more than new colours and a logo. This is about putting our communities at the heart of everything we do and really helping to make a difference to your health and wellbeing. The idea is to make health and wellbeing central to everyone’s lifestyle and our centres are the hubs of where this happens.

Going forward, you aren’t a member of the centre in Dursley or Stroud. You are a member of Active Lifestyles Stroud District, and you can use either of our centres, our parks or our commons and woods to do this. Over time, we hope to expand our activities programme to reflect this.

We know not everyone is a ‘gym enthusiast’. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle looks different for each one of us. We want the service we provide to reflect that, and we are encouraging you to send us your thoughts and comments on what we are doing well and what we are doing less well. Sign up at ww.stroud.gov.uk/active to receive regular news and updates on all the changes we are making both now, and in the future.

Ange