Full circle for lifeguard
06-JUL-10
Issued by: Graeme Cook
Life has come full circle for one man with the opening of North Tyneside Council's brand new £9.7million leisure centre.
Steve Armstrong worked as a lifeguard at Wallsend Pool from 1978 until its closure in 1990.
Since then he has worked at the borough's other pools, but will be back on duty in Wallsend once again when he joins over 30 members of staff at the new Hadrian Leisure Centre.
Steve said: "It's going to be really strange going back to the pool in Wallsend, but I'm really excited about working at the new facility.
"Children I taught to swim back in the 1970s and 80s, have been telling me that they're going to be bringing their kids along to the new pool - so things really have gone full circle."
The new facility, which has been named Hadrian Leisure Centre, is based on the site of Burnside Business and Enterprise College, the school Steve attended as a child.
He added: "I visited the school recently and although the building has changed, it was still a funny feeling going back to school.
"It gave me a chance to reminisce about the old days, and I'm certain many memories from my time at Wallsend Pool will come flooding back when I'm working at Hadrian.
"I had some really good times at Wallsend, and I'm sure I will have more good times at Hadrian in the future.
"I'm looking forward to supporting the young staff we have starting, just like I was helped out when I first began all those years ago."
The lifeguard thinks North Tyneside residents will have yet another sports centre to be proud of.
He said: "Hadrian is going to be a tremendous asset for the town and entire borough.
"North Tyneside has some top leisure facilities to offer, and Hadrian is going to be a great addition. I know the people of Wallsend are going to love going there."
Hadrian Leisure Centre , which opened to the public yesterday, features a new 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, teaching pool and Contours fitness gym, which will be open throughout the week, day and evenings, seven days a week.
A six-court sports hall, fitness rooms, dance and exercise studios and changing facilities are among the facilities on site already available to the public at evenings and weekends.
The pool and fitness facilities will be open as follows: Monday to Thursday, 7.15am to 10pm; Friday, 7.15am to 9.15pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8.15am to 6pm.
Steve joins other team members at the pool that include: three assistant managers, one admin manager, one admin assistant, 13 leisure assistants/ pool lifeguards, one cleaner, six Contours gym instructors, four receptionists, four swimming teachers (starting in September), plus various coaches.