Carterton Leisure Centre's new trampoline park opens

The exciting addition to Carterton Leisure Centre also features a soft play area, two cafes, a creche and a new gym area which is double in size to the previous one.

In total, the new additions will cost roughly £8.4million, with almost half of that spent on new equipment.

Previously, parents had to make the 40 minute journey all the way to Swindon to take their kids to the nearest trampoline venue.

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A brand new sports hall, dance studio, spinning room and changing rooms will open in the new year.

Local schools have been invited in the last week to test out the trampoline centre with five test sessions run since Monday.

Before entering the trampoline zone, children and adults enter the briefing room, where they watch a three minute safety video, which explains technique and trampoline safety.

The trampoline park itself features a 'high dive area', 'Canadian log roll' and a series of activities which test reaction speeds.

George and Fin on the balance beam

The leisure centre will also be running dedicated toddler sessions for the trampolines in the week.

When up to full capacity, the area will be able to hold up to 60 children, whilst the soft play zone can hold 100 kids.

The soft play area is available as an add on.

There are two soft play areas, both of which are forest themed to tie in with the four party rooms.

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Birthday packages can be purchased for the bumblebee, butterfly, caterpillar and ladybird rooms.

Paul Shearman, partnerships manager, said: "On the second of November we started spading the ground and we're finally here, give or take a few little bits.

"It's perfect timing as there's lots of housing developments in the area with lots of local young families."

And for those already looking ahead to shedding some Christmas timber, Mr Shearman said that the leisure centre 'will be the place to do it'.

"With the gym, there'll be traditional methods and in the trampoline park, parents can bounce away the extra pounds."

Roger Chapman with sons Toby and Rupert

Amie Hornsby was at the opening day with her daughter Leah and son Freddie.

She said: "It's been really good, I like the atmosphere and it's nice to have something local rather than going all the way to Swindon."

Robert and Celeste Lillie actually came from Swindon with their son James for the big day.

Mr Lillie said: "We're letting him burn off some energy in the soft play and he's made friends and really enjoying it, it's a great concept."

Beatrice Grove enjoys the trampolines

Mr Shearman - who oversees eight leisure centres across West Oxfordshire - also explained how the centres run.

He said: "We're a charitable social enterprise so any profits we make we put back in and invest.

"The new developments have been built by people who work and live in the community for the people of this community."

After starting recruitment in September, the leisure centre has employed 30 new staff with the hope more staff will be recruited in the new year.