The Edge has re-opened after a £1.2m refurbishment this summer.

 

New facilities include 250 pieces of state-of-the-art equipment, with a large weights area to replace the former dance studio due to open tonight.

The Edge’s class schedule is also being updated to include more diverse activities such as urban funk.

 

Speaking to The Gryphon, Head of Sport Rob Wadsworth explained The Edge had seen ‘a need to expand the gym in order to deal with the demand on our facilities’. He added: “We wanted not only to make the gym bigger, but to invest in the quality of the equipment to make it more up-to-date, and also the technology we use to promote sustainability”.

Most pieces of equipment are self-powered by eco technology, with only the gym’s treadmills requiring electricity. Users are also able to synchronise a mobile app to monitor fitness progress with the machines, with new interfaces allowing students to watch TV or use Skype and Facebook whilst they exercise.

 

Mr Wadsworth said: “We have gyms on our doorstep using this kind of technology and we wanted to keep up with the sector”. When asked about a reported delay with the project, he added: “The existing gym opened with all the new equipment as planned on 15th September. Unfortunately, as happens with building projects, there was as delay with the extension.”

 

The majority of work was undertaken during a three-month period over summer, although The Gryphon understands the project overran by approximately ten days.

 

Membership fees have risen by 2.5% this year, although Mr Wadsworth told this paper feedback on the refurbishment has been “outstanding”. He explained: “We’ve had some fantastic feedback from our members. I’m hopeful people will think it’s been a positive investment”. Mr Wadsworth concluded: “We want to be the number one provider of student sport in the UK and I think we will achieve that in the next five years.”

Charlotte Mason