It's time to have your say after designs were revealed a new Sports & Leisure Centre in Stevenage.
In late 2023, Stevenage Borough Council asked the public to share their views on what they would like from a proposed new site, as part of efforts to bring sports, leisure and swimming facilities under one roof.
The facility will encompass swimming, studios and gym space with flexible sports and leisure facilities, along with a café, soft play and interactive water play area in a modern building that champions sustainability and accessibility.
The project will be partially funded through the government’s Towns Fund, with a proportion of the £37.5m secured by Stevenage Development Board in March 2021 to be used.
Following the feedback, the council has been working with Morgan Sindall and FaulknerBrowns Architects on the designs for the new building, with a new consultation started to gather views on the proposals.
The proposals are available to view online at stevenage.gov.uk/have-your-say/proposed-new-sports-leisure-centre-have-your-say or stevenage-even-better.com/sports-leisure-centre, where there is also a feedback form to leave your views.
The following drop-in sessions for residents have also been organised:
- Saturday, November 23, 12pm - 4.30pm, Stevenage Town Square
- Monday, November 25, 6.30pm - 8pm, Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre café
- Wednesday, November 27, 12pm - 4.30pm, 21 Town Square (former McDonalds Unit), Stevenage Town Square
- Saturday, November 30, 10.30am - 12.30pm, Stevenage Swimming Centre
Cllr Richard Henry, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, said: "A new Sports & Leisure Centre for Stevenage is really exciting.
"As a council that champions health and wellbeing, we understand the importance of modern, varied facilities that encourage and make sport and leisure accessible and fun for everyone.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to future proof these services by replacing them with brand new facilities, working with our communities as we look to deliver this new and upgraded offering for the town."
Emma Curtis, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, is hopeful that the new Sports & Leisure Centre will become a focal point for the town.
"With a wealth of leisure experience, Morgan Sindall understands the importance these facilities play in not just bringing communities together but in providing a strong health and wellbeing foundation for the next generation," she said.
"The new Sports & Leisure Hub will not only be a new focal point for the town, it will encourage greater levels of participation in sport, delivering improvements to quality of life across Stevenage.
"We are very proud to be working alongside Stevenage Borough Council to deliver its transformational regeneration plans."
Stephen McIntyre, partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects, added: "We are delighted to be working with Morgan Sindall and Stevenage Borough Council to help build the new Sports and Leisure Centre in Stevenage.
"We look forward to developing a building design using our extensive experience of delivering sports and leisure projects to help create a community facility which actively promotes participation in sport.
"The new centre will be designed to serve the local community encouraging people to engage in a more active lifestyle enabling them to benefit from improved physical and mental health.
"The new facility compliments and reinforces the council’s ambitious regeneration plans and we are delighted to be part of the next architectural chapter of Stevenage."
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