On July 20, 2007 customers had to evacuate a leisure centre as water from a nearby lake gushed inside.
The deluge submerged the building's plant room with 20ft of water and the immediate area was closed off for fear of a chemical explosion as gas tanks and chemical containers floated loose.
The torrent reached levels of 5ft across the floor of the leisure centre in Cheltenham, causing thousands of pounds of damage.
In October a temporary building opened at the back of the main centre, to provide people with gym and exercise facilities, but only now, 14 months after that awful day, is
leisure@cheltenham in Tommy Taylor's Lane able to announce it is reopening.
The centre, which has about 500,000 visitors a year, will throw open its doors on August 31 when people are invited to try out free fitness classes and swimming sessions.
Stephen Petherick, commercial manager for
leisure@cheltenham, recalled the day the nightmare started.
"The lake has always been prone to bursting its banks so we were mindful it could happen but it's fair to say we didn't expect it to be so bad," he said.
"We had an emergency response team here for a period of time because we have a drums of chemicals providing chlorine and if water gets into them they can explode and release chlorine gas.
"It was an extremely stressful time because of the extent of the damage but generally people in the community have been very supportive.
"The cost of the damage is between £5 million and £10m but now the facilities are better than ever. The whole ground floor was stripped and rebuilt.
"We have also purchased a temporary flood barrier that is erected when water levels get to a certain height and are looking at a more permanent solution."
"Wherever possible we have looked at ways of minimising the risk to the leisure centre."
And Mr Petherick is looking forward to showing people just what
leisure@cheltenham has to offer.
"After nearly 14 months of closure we are looking forward to welcoming back our customers and we hope that everyone will be impressed with the new look centre and everything it has to offer," he said.
The newly refurbished centre is home to an air-conditioned fitness suite, with more than 80 stations, an air-conditioned dance studio, a comprehensive group exercise class programme, a spin studio, a low-impact exercise studio; squash courts and an eight-court sports hall, three swimming pools and a health spa, and has free parking.
The centre will be open for normal business from Monday 1 September 2008.
More detailed information, including opening hours, prices and the open day's full timetable are available on the website, visit www.cheltenham.gov.uk/leisureat or phone the customer services team on 01242 528764.
Source: Western Daily Press
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