Lakeside Leisure Complex facts for kids
The Lakeside Leisure Complex is a fun place in Frimley Green, Surrey, England. It has a hotel, places for meetings, and lots of entertainment. For many years, it was famous for hosting the World Darts Championship.
The Lakeside Leisure Complex was started in 1972 by a man named Bob Potter. He bought a house called Wharfenden House and the land around it, including a lake. Bob Potter made the main hall bigger, so it could hold 1,000 people. This was great for hosting famous comedians and musicians from all over the world.
In November 1978, a fire badly damaged Lakeside. But it was quickly rebuilt and opened again in October the next year. Bob Potter, the founder, passed away on April 14, 2023, at 94 years old.
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Exciting Events at Lakeside
The Lakeside became the home of the World Darts Championship in 1986. This big competition happened every January until 2019. The club even helped pay for the event for many years. Since 2022, Lakeside has hosted the new WDF World Darts Championship.
Many famous performers have entertained crowds at Lakeside. Stars like Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise, Sammy Davis Jr, and Bob Monkhouse have all been on its stage.
What You Can Do at Lakeside
Lakeside has many different areas for fun and activities.
Main Entertainment Areas
The biggest place is the Main Cabaret Suite. It can hold 1,170 people. This space is used for big shows, concerts, and large meetings.
Other Fun Spots
- The Canal Suite can hold 350 people.
- The State Suite is a smaller room for about 100 guests.
- You can grab a drink at Bob's Bar or the Wine Bar.
- There's also the Sharman Suite for different events.
Lakeside is a club for members and also a hotel. It has several restaurants where you can eat. For sports, you can play snooker, pool, darts, or ten-pin bowling. There are also squash courts and a gym.
Near the complex, you can rent boats for trips along the Basingstoke Canal. If you like golf, there are many golf courses nearby in the Wentworth and Sunningdale areas.
Lakeside's Golden Age
A famous darts commentator, Sid Waddell, once said that Lakeside was "arguably the best club in Britain" in its early days. He remembered how big stars and even important people like Margaret Thatcher enjoyed visiting for fun events.
Bob Potter also said that his club and its lively atmosphere helped inspire the TV show Phoenix Nights. The main character in that show is even named Brian Potter!
