THREE hundred thousand pounds in cost, 1,600 sq m in size, dozens of sports and activities to play, and one brand new sporting facility.
Exeter Sports Academy (ESA) is the newest sport and activity centre to open in the city, promising to offer people a wealth of opportunities in health, fitness and fun.
The state-of-the-art project at Marsh Barton is already hailing itself as one of the top sports facilities in the South West, just six weeks after it was launched on the Marsh Barton trading estate.
With three high quality flexible activity spaces over 1,200 square metres as well as a personal training gym and a dance studio, it easily rivals existing facilities.
ESA is the brainchild of Ben Cheriton, a young businessman, who was inspired to help numerous clubs and groups struggling to find suitable and stable space in and around Exeter.
"Exeter is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. It's expanding at the seams, but it doesn't seem to have enough affordable sporting space or facilities. People want to get involved in sport but there aren't as many opportunities as there could be," he said.
Mr Cheriton, 25, from Exeter, who already runs a recruitment business, wanted to ensure the city does not miss out on the sporting legacy of the London Olympics.
He was concerned facilities across the city were heavily oversubscribed, and that consequently people were missing-out on sporting participation.
"I never thought I'd run my own business," he said.
"This project was simply born out of frustration at the lack of suitable spaces available on a consistent basis. For example, my weekly spinning class would be fully booked within an hour of it being bookable. I used to get up at 7am just to get a place."
His first business was Exeter Eagles Tae Kwon Do that expanded from more than 100 members, including four world champions and 60 national champions.
"We were getting let down a lot by facilities," he said. "Schools were telling us at short notice that parent evenings were happening or even that they were closing for the summer."
After hearing similar stories from others, he decided to develop a facility that would serve the sporting needs of the city and wider region.
"Plenty of people in Exeter have great ideas for sports-based clubs, but they just can't find a venue," he added.
Mr Cheriton managed to attract investors to fund the new centre, and worked flat-out for a year to ensure his dream became reality.
"We spent time trying to identify the right place, then we had to get planning permission and negotiate the lease. It looked very much like it wouldn't happen several times," he said.
The building work took just seven weeks, with a 20-plus team including Mr Cheriton working long hours to complete it.
"This place was a complete shell. It happened because everyone was so motivated and wanted to make it happen," he said.
One of its distinctive features is an £80,000 high specification "area elastic" floor.
"There are very few area elastic sports floors in the South West," he said.
"It's very hard-wearing and significantly better for your body than a normal indoor floor, because there's a lot less pressure on your joints. If people do fall, there's a lot less chance of injury."
Users can also benefit from a form of sports analysis called 'intelligent trainer' that collects information about their physical, tactical and technical requirements.
"It gives them the same level of sports analysis that a top professional would get. People can then keep track of their performance and level of improvement," he said.
No membership is required, so people can just turn-up and do a class on any of the 52 weeks a year.
"We want to be a little bit different," he said. "A lot of clubs make their money by tying people into long contracts. But when people do take out membership, there is no minimum time involved."
All ages of people are welcome and people can rent-out the space, subject to demand.
Mr Cheriton said: "Almost all sport takes up significant space. Sport is often outdoors, but the weather drives people indoors. Lots of people have the need for big spaces and are surprised by what we can offer here. It almost feels like you're outside because of the light."
Due to the sheer size of the space and the length of time it is open, some 60 different sporting activities and fitness classes could take place on the same day.
A team of seven employed staff run the centre supported by several self-employed instructors and coaches.
"We're trying to encourage entrepreneurship by giving work to self-employed people," he said. "But more than that, we're making sure we offering people the best instructors."
It has a comprehensive range of indoor sports include football, handball and marital arts – while its classes vary from pilates to kickboxing and from stretch and tone to Insanity.
"We're really excited about launching our junior class timetable soon, including tots tennis and football," added Mr Cheriton.
For the future, Mr Cheriton wants to open a physiotherapy practice at the centre and there are plans to host a boxing event for 2,000 people in February. He is also working with a local school to offer educational qualifications through the centre such as entrepreneurship through sport.
"There really is something for everyone, whatever your age or interest.
"People who see the facility are really impressed," added Mr Cheriton.
ESA is open Monday to Friday from 7am till 10pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am till 7pm.
For more information call ESA on 01392 343100, email info@exetersportsacademy.com or visit www.exetersportsacademy.com
Pete Edwards, leader of the city council, said: "This is the next forward step for the city, in providing modern and the best possible leisure facilities for the whole of Exeter.
"When this is built we will be closing the Pyramids which has served the city very well and of which people have very fond memories.
"But we really need to get facilities in the city centre which will encourage people to stay in the city centre after 5pm, and take advantage of our cafés and restaurants and take part in the evening economy.
"Also, Exeter's Health and Well Being Board has pledged to make this the most active city in the South West by 2018, and opening this facility in the summer of 2018 is part of our commitment to that aim.
"We are building it in the city centre as that is the most accessible place for the whole of the city."
Nick Davis, development director for Land Securities, said: "Princesshay continues to trade strongly and is attracting new retailers and restaurants.
"We're keen to build on this momentum with our partners, the Crown Estate, and have agreed development principles with Exeter City Council for the 11.5 acre bus station site.
"A pre-planning consultation is being prepared for a leisure and retail development with a view to submitting an outline planning application in the first quarter of 2015."
The area the leisure complex will take up stretches from the Paris Street roundabout to the bus station.
It is believed that behind it will be a small amphitheatre which will be surrounded by a mix of retail and restaurants.
The new bus station will border Cheeke Street, opposite Vue Cinema.
Karime Hassan, the city council's chief executive, said: "The swimming pool and leisure centre will be paid for by a blend of funding. The city council has ring fenced the proceeds of New Homes Bonus to support this infrastructure project.
"This will significantly reduce the need to borrow to fund this capital infrastructure project. The city council also anticipates income from the Community Infrastructure Levy and asset rationalisation."
Derek Phillips, vice president of the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, backed the scheme.
"Exeter Chamber is delighted to see that this iconic site is at last due to be redeveloped," he said.
"It will provide a prime location to enhance Exeter's city appeal both for retail and leisure and in particular for the night time economy.
"It will also provide a great opportunity to provide a showcase public transport gateway to the city."
The history of the Pyramids
EUROPE was on the brink of war when the foundation stone for the City Swimming Baths now known as the Pyramids was laid in May 1939.
Built on what was previously the site of Gould Brothers garage, the baths were designed by John Bennett, architect for the city council.
The foundation stone was laid by the then Mayor Councillor Rowland Glave Saunders.
It opened two years later, again with Cllr Saunders performing the honours as he was still mayor because of the outbreak of war.
The cost of the 100ft pool, which was electrically heated, was £56,000.
Water from the pool was used to put out fires during the blitz on May 4, 1942, when the fire service became short of water.
The baths did not become known as the Pyramids until the 1980s, when they had a makeover with an Egyptian theme.
