SHILLONG, June 8, 2026 — True North Leisure Centre in Lapalang is transforming the fitness landscape in Shillong by offering modern infrastructure, year-round accessibility, and a strong emphasis on early-age swimming training. Supported by the Meghalaya government’s CM ELEVATE initiative, the facility is helping build a healthier, more active community in the hills.
A State-of-the-Art Fitness Destination
True North Lapalang, inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in July 2025, features a 25-metre multi-lane indoor heated swimming pool with depths ranging from 3 to 6 feet, a dedicated training pool, and a separate kids’ pool. The centre also includes a fully equipped gym, cardio track, steam room, hot tub (jacuzzi), and additional wellness amenities, making it a comprehensive hub for fitness enthusiasts of all ages.
This new facility builds on the success of the original Mission Compound (Mawkhar) location, which quickly developed long waiting lists due to high demand. The Lapalang extension addresses this need, with pools running back-to-back sessions for both recreational swimmers and serious trainees.
Emphasising Early Swimming for Lifelong Benefits
Founding partner Gary Lamare — the first person from Meghalaya to summit Mount Everest in 2012 — stresses the importance of starting young. “We are trying to catch them young,” Lamare says. The centre encourages swimming lessons for infants as young as six months, capitalising on a key developmental window.
Water-based training improves limb coordination, builds neural pathways through cross-lateral movements, and supports skills like language and spatial reasoning. Formal lessons also teach breath control and water safety, potentially reducing drowning risks significantly. Trainers highlight these benefits, and parents report noticeable gains in confidence and joy among children like young Miles Leonard and Medhasvi Agarwal.
Broader Impact on Sports and Community Wellness
True North aims to elevate Meghalaya’s swimming standards beyond wildcard entries in national events, focusing on merit-based qualification through structured academy training. The centre also promotes lifesaving and lifeguarding skills, crucial as more hotels and resorts in the state add swimming pools.
During the inauguration, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised the facility’s quality, saying he “almost forgot I was in Shillong.” He commended the team’s passion and the government’s partnership under CM ELEVATE, which supports entrepreneurship and sports development.
What Makes True North Stand Out
- All-weather accessibility: Heated indoor pools ensure swimming is possible throughout the year, regardless of Shillong’s climate.
- Holistic approach: Combines swimming with gym workouts, cardio, steam, and relaxation facilities for complete wellness.
- Community programs: Offers classes like Aqua Zumba, inter-school championships, and open sessions for non-members on select days.
- Proven success: The Mawkhar centre set a benchmark, and Lapalang expands on this foundation for greater reach.
True North is more than a swimming pool or gym — it is a wellness destination fostering physical health, mental well-being, confidence, and productivity. For parents seeking to build water confidence in their children, adults looking for balanced fitness routines, or anyone recovering with sauna and hot tub sessions, the centre offers expert coaching in a supportive environment.
Memberships, class schedules, and timings are available through True North’s official channels on Instagram (@truenorthleisurecentre and @truenorthlapalang) and Facebook. Whether you’re a beginner or aiming for competitive swimming, True North is redefining what fitness can look like in Meghalaya.
About The Author
