Leisure Centre Softplay Area

Soft play design and installation for brand new leisure centre

Ponteland is situated to the West of Newcastle, in the Northeast of the UK and is a popular commuter suburb in that area. In 2017 a large project was started to completely re-develop the local high school and leisure centre facilities, with a brand new facility that would combine and serve both functions. The new building would incorporate various public facilities including the new high school, leisure centre with swimming pool, sports halls, softplay and climbing equipment, catering provision, IT services and much more.

Play Creations were approached early on in the process by KIER, who were submitting a tender for the entire build and fit-out of the new facility. After discussions with the KIER project management team and specs from the Northumberland Active procurement team, a clear design brief was set for the softplay provision.

Softplay designs were undertaken and submitted, along with the rest of the tender and KIER was subsequently awarded the contract to undertake the build and fit-out.

You can view a video fly around of the entire softplay facility by clicking the link below:

Soft play design, manufacture and installation

It has long been proven that softplay areas are a key attraction within leisure centres and are a significant factor in increasing and sustaining footfall into such venues.

Not to mention, softplay areas promote physical activity and exploration of their surroundings in kids from an early age and are an excellent way of extending the message of keeping a healthy, active lifestyle promoted by leisure services around the world. 

To this end, the softplay equipment at Ponteland was to be given pride of place within the venue and would definitely not be a mere ‘after-thought’! The softplay equipment would be situated at the end of the main thoroughfare, with a great footprint to play with and enough height to achieve a full 3 level play structure……not only that, it would be sat directly in front of the glazed building fascade, which would make the softplay equipment visible to each and every visitor (and passer-by!) to the leisure centre.

Given the excellent footprint and height available, we were able to create a soft play design with true WOW factor. Coloured and themed in bright jungle colours and textures that would appeal to all, the softplay design was brought to life with with digi print panels and 3D theming!

The softplay design is arranged across 3 levels, with internal features included such as crawl tubes and expansive V-Net bridges. The main features of any softplay area are the slides and contained within are the exciting 4 lane astra slide (with waterfall artwork) and a giant 540 degree spiral slide which sits like a coiled snake to the corner of the softplay area. Also included in the softplay design is a giant rotating pin-wheel, skyglide track ride, bouncing ball features and sensory LED infinity mirror, alongside all our other high quality and fun soft play features. Also included in the design was a dedicated softplay baby area for 0-2yrs.

Softplay maintenance

Despite the turmoil afforded to us during the summer of 2020, the softplay installation was completed and the centre opened in early 2021, to an eager and expectant public.

The softplay equipment has proved to be a popular and worthwhile addition to the leisure centre development and continues to draw footfall from the local residents and beyond.

Since opening, Play Creations have also been contracted by Northumberland Active, on an annual basis, to look after and maintain the play structure to ensure it is kept safe and in tip-top condition.