Have Your Say on updated designs for a new Sports and Leisure Centre

This new facility will bring together sports, leisure and swimming facilities under one roof, whereas they are currently provided at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre, and Stevenage Swimming Centre.

The council would like to thank everyone who shared their views or came to see the project team at in-person sessions. Having reviewed the feedback, we are asking local communities, residents and businesses to share their views again on updated designs.

The health and wellbeing of Stevenage residents is a key priority for the council and this facility is designed to allow the community to access and enjoy sports and leisure activities in a purpose-built building.

The proposals are available to view online via the Stevenage Even Better Proposal web page and Stevenage Borough Council New Sports and Leisure Centre for Stevenage web page including a feedback form where you can leave your feedback. Hard copies of these are also available to complete at Stevenage Swimming Centre and Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre, in the gym reception.

If you would like to speak to a member of the project team, a series of drop-in sessions are taking place where you can view the designs and discuss the proposals:

• Saturday 22 February, 12 (midday) – 2pm, Westgate Shopping Centre (opposite River Island and Walkwel)
• Monday 24 February, 6:30pm – 8pm, Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre (gym reception)
• Wednesday 26 February, 12 (midday) – 2pm, 21 Town Square (former McDonalds Unit)
• Saturday 1 March, 10:30am – 12:30pm, Stevenage Swimming Centre
• Monday 3 March, 6:30pm – 8pm, Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre (gym reception)
• Wednesday 5 March, 12 (midday) – 2pm, Westgate Shopping Centre (opposite River Island and Walkwel)
• Saturday 8 March, 10:30am – 12:30pm, Stevenage Swimming Centre

The closing date for sharing your comments is Sunday 9 March at 5pm.

Cllr Loraine Rossati, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Wellbeing, said: “I would like to thank everyone who shared their feedback on the initial designs, which has been largely positive. Your views have been heard and we are working hard to progress a facility that allows the vast majority of people to participate in sports, leisure and wellbeing activities. Whilst we will accommodate as much as we can, this is designed to be a general facility and we will not be able to include all specialist sports. There are other facilities in the town for these and we will work with local clubs if they wish to transfer elsewhere. I encourage our residents and businesses to engage with the next set of designs as we continue to work together on this exciting new offer for the town”.

The project will be partially funded through the Government’s Towns Fund. The Stevenage Development Board secured £37.5m in March 2021, and a proportion of this will be used for this new facility.

Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair of the Stevenage Development Board, commented:

"The proposed new Stevenage Sports and Leisure Centre will be delivered using funds from the Stevenage Development Boards successful application to the Governments Town Fund. We are delighted to be bringing this spectacular project to fruition with the great support of Stevenage Borough Council.

"We have been absolutely delighted by the overwhelming interest of the public in the latest consultation and the constructive views which have been expressed by everyone.

"The proposed new Sports & Leisure Centre will be a modern, state of the art facility with activities including swimming, studios, gym, flexible sports and leisure space. The public response has so far been very supportive and we have also been pleased to see the community engage with the proposals.

"The Stevenage Development Board and the council is committed to providing only the best sports and leisure facilities for the people of the town and we are ensuring that it will be a facility that everyone can use and be proud of”.

Morgan Sindall Construction, experts in building leisure facilities, have been appointed to help deliver the Sports & Leisure Hub whilst architect FaulknerBrowns are designing the facility. The upgraded services will be managed by Everyone Active, a specialist leisure operator who operate the council’s leisure facilities within the town.

Further information can be found on the Stevenage Even Better website.