It’s been a long time coming, but well worth the wait.
The York Stadium Leisure Complex is complete, and will welcome the first members of the public on Monday (21 December).
Members of the media were given a tour of the complex, comprising the 8,500 seat sports stadium, leisure centre, NHS outpatient clinic and a public library today (Friday).
And it is truly a leisure facility that the whole of York can enjoy, from scaling on the awesome climbing walls, taking a dip in the pools, reading in the library or watching sport on a flawless grass pitch.
Are you ready for a quick tour? Here we go…
You must book first
The leisure centre is open to the public on Monday (21 December). Because of Covid everyone visiting has to pre-book. Booking will be available via the Better app from Saturday (19 December). Initially swimming, gym and fitness classes will be available to book with Clip & Climb to follow.
Photographs: Jack Titley
The climbing room
With names like Leap Of Faith, Skyscraper, Jungle Gym, Detonator and Stairway to Heaven, there is something to test everyone from beginners to Spider-Man himself.
On each climbing wall you drop the crash-mat down, clip your harness in place, and get climbing.
The swimming pools
With one 25m pool, one learner pool, and a play pool with lots of splashy fun, there’s something for all ages.
The gym
Ready to work your socks off? The large, spacious gym is packed with state-of-the-art equipment is ready for you – complete with YouTube-ready screens on the treadmills.
Membership is £40 a month, which also lets you use the other Better-run facilities in York.
The library
Browse, read and borrow in the spacious library in the reception area.
The stadium
OK sports buffs, we’re going to another level.
Whether you’re a fan of York City or York City Knights or both, the match-day experience will be in a different league to that offered by the beloved but crumbling Bootham Crescent.
Great sightlines all round, plenty of – decent! – toilets, plus roomy bars and concessions, it is an altogether more modern, comfortable and family-friendly place to enjoy sporting action.
And the hospitality boxes actually look on to the pitch – see below!
Talking of which, the grass and artificial blended-pitch is superb and will offer every chance for flowing, action-packed football and rugby.
