Everything An Athlete Could Wish For!! (Mountbatten Centre)

Member Name: Wease

Product:	Mountbatten Centre
Date:	13/06/01 (2055 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: See op

Disadvantages: See op

Originally built in 1979 and updated regularly with newer and better facilities ever since, the Mountbatten Centre (MBC) is now the South Coast?s premier facility!
Situated on the very edge of central Portsmouth in the tranquil Alexandra park, MBC is both ideally situated for students and Hampshirians alike as well as providing excellent facilities and a scenic backdrop of Tipner Lake (ok so it?s a little murky, but still better than looking out onto a car park or shopping centre ? imho - ooh and the M27 provides a quiet hum on a calm day).

FACILITIES ? SPORT
Indoor ? 2 large sports halls cater for badminton, trampolining, aerobics, circuit training and various other activities e.g. kiddies parties with bouncy castles (what it was to be young). There are also 3 squash courts, although these are rather popular so advanced booking is advisable.

A large gym and fitness suite houses state of the art equipment and sunbeds ? although in different rooms! Sunbeds cost £4/£4.55 (member/non-member) for 20 minutes. A Chinese masseur also runs a business from within the suite. Gym equipment includes a comprehensive range of computerised cycles, treadmills, rowers and steppers, a range of muscle specific trainers, free weights and an all important warm-up and stretch area! To join the gym an induction has to be taken so your level of fitness can be determined and then a training plan outlining the number of reps etc that you should be doing. This costs a one off fee of £10 and takes around an hour. After that you are ready and raring to go! As you can imagine this is a very popular gym and because MBC is home to quite a few sports clubs (Portsmouth road runners, Portsmouth athletics club not to mention the hockey, football, squash, karate and netball teams). The evenings tend to be heaving so if at all possible visit in the early afternoon or mid-morning. After your workout, you may care to use the sauna or steam room to loosen up ? very therapeutic!
Membership for the Scultpures fitness suite currently stand at an annual fee of £270 for individual gym or £470 for dual gym use. This can be paid in a one off fee or monthly by direct debit. Gym membership also entitles the user to a reduced fee for aerobics and circuit training sessions. The minimum age for joining the gym is 16 however from 4-5pm on a Wednesday afternoon 13-16 year olds may use the cardiovascular equipment under the supervision of one of the gym instructors. This equipment includes, rowing machines, ski machines, cycle machines, steppers and treadmills.

The changing rooms are large with lockers and showers and there are two separate toilet areas for spectators and athletes. The track changing room is uni-sex and generally used by the Portsmouth athletics club, this means it?s rather buys on club nights so using the other facilities is advisable! A trained physiotherapist is available on weekdays in the sports therapy area. Enquiries about this service have to go through the main reception.

Outdoor ? The MBC has one of the best athletics tracks in the South and was lucky enough to host the British Paralympics in 1997. The eight-lane track is synthetic and suitable for spikes of a length up to 0.9 cm. A competition quality cycling track runs around the athletics track. The use of this is only permitted under supervision with the proper equipment. Supervision is given by the Portsmouth Triathletes every Wednesday evening and Sunday morning. They do have cycles for hire. Annual track (both athletics and cycling) membership is currently £18.75 for juniors (Under 16) and £26.50 for adults.

A shotput area, discus/hammer area and 4 long/triple jump pits are available as well as a steeplechase track complete with water jump! Usage of these facilities and indeed the whole track is at the management?s discretion and will depend on any event booked (the track can be booked privately and in the summer hosts many events for both comp
etitions at county level and the sports days of local schools). If you require hurdles or disci etc then you will have to ask at reception and a supervisor will bring the equipment out from the storage area for you at no extra cost!

A large stand overlooks both tracks (the cycle track basically runs around the outside of the athletics track) with seating for 500. There is a small kiosk, which sells drinks, ice creams and small snacks at larger events. However, when this is hut there are a few vending machines located in various areas around the centre. Outside toilets are available for both sexes.

The centre also boasts 8 tennis courts, 4 netball courts and 2 astro turf pitches used for hockey and football. These are available for use by local clubs or private groups and can be hired at the prices listed at the bottom of the review.

All of the outdoor facilities are floodlit.

FACILITIES ? BUSINESS & LEISURE (a wonderful combination contrary to popular belief!)
The Mountbatten centre has 2 large conference halls, a large restaurant and a licensed bar. It is ideal for conferences with approx. 200 people. The bar overlooks the track and lake.

A cafeteria is open daily and serves hot and cold food at reasonable prices.

ACCESS
The sports centre lies off Alexandra Road and Gladys Avenue and has a car park for upto 170 cars (built in reclaimed land ? how nice!) Cycle lanes pass through the back of the centre form Cosham and Hilsea, making it safer and more scenic for the energetic traveller.

One thing that I do find annoying is that there is a slight slope up to the main entrance which I could imagine could be hard work for anyone in a wheelchair. There is a lack of ramps inside so wheelchair users have to access the downstairs facilities through the track entrance. Improvements in this provision do need to be made.


Disalbles ? steep hill, stairs, ramps form outside

PRICES (First
price given is for adult, second for child, all prices are per hour)
Admission - £0.55/£0.30
Badminton - £6.40/£3.85
Squash - £4.90/£3.00
Table Tennis - £2.55/£1.60
Volleyball - £19.20/£11.55
Half Hall (5v5 football/basketball) - £25.60/£15.40
All Weather Pitch - £21.35/£12.75
Tennis - £3.55/£2.20
Athletics (Casual) - £1.40/£0.70
Netball - £9.80/£7.75

Floodlight prices are extra and vary.
OPENING DETAILS
The centre is open from 7am ? 11pm on most days, however, please telephone before you visit to ensure the facility is available.

CONTACT DETAILS
For additional information, please telephone:

Sports Enquiries and Bookings - (023) 9266 5122

Catering, Conferences, weddings etc - (023) 9267 8787

Alexandra Park, Portsmouth, Hants PO2 9QA

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