Work begins on new sports and leisure centre

Work is getting under way to build a new sports and leisure centre that will include a 25m (82ft), 10-lane swimming pool.

The Stevenage Swimming Centre car park on St George's Way in the Hertfordshire town will be closed from the end of 12 April to allow for construction on the site.

Hoarding will be placed around the existing car park but access to the swimming centre through reception will remain unaffected.

Stevenage Borough Council leader Richard Henry said the new facility was "a key part of the wider transformation of the town centre".

While the work is ongoing, there will be no parking on the site until the new car park reopens in 2028, once the new facility is built.

In the meantime, the council recommends people park at St George's Way multi-storey or the Forum car park.

The new building will combine the sports facilities currently located at the Arts & Leisure Centre and Stevenage Swimming Centre.

As well as a main pool with spectator seating, a teaching pool and a splash pad, it will also feature a soft play area, a six-court sports hall, fitness suite, multi-purpose studios and a cafe that can be accessed from the Town Centre Gardens.

The project is being 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 the new facility.

It will be managed by Everyone Active, a specialist leisure operator that runs the council's leisure facilities.

Allan Prescott from the organisation said he understood the closure of the car park would be frustrating for some customers.

"Our priority is to keep Stevenage Swimming Centre open and accessible, and we'll continue working closely with our members, clubs and schools to support them throughout the construction period," he said.

Cabinet member for culture, leisure and wellbeing, Simon Speller, said: "The existing sports and leisure centre facilities, including the current swimming pool, are well used but were designed and built in the 1960s and 70s.

"By combining leisure and sports facilities in the town, we will not only have a much better, high-quality facility on one site, but also a highly improved customer experience with a more efficient use of space."

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