Works to begin on new Stevenage Sports & Leisure Centre
A new Sports & Leisure Centre is being built in Stevenage on St Georges Way.
12 MARCH 2026
A new Sports & Leisure Centre is being built in Stevenage on St Georges Way. The main construction works on the new centre will be beginning in April 2026.
In order to commence works, the Stevenage Swimming Centre Car Park will be closed from Sunday 12 April, when the Swimming Centre closes at the end of the day. Hoarding will be placed around the existing car park, but access to the Swimming Centre through reception will remain unaffected.
There will be no vehicle access on site for the duration of the works, and the new car park is expected to reopen in 2028, after the new facility opens.
It is recommended that users should park at St George’s Way Multi-Story Car Park (SG1 1EP) or The Forum Car Park (SG1 1ES) during this closure. Blue badge holders can park in either car park. Parking will be re-provided free to users of the Swimming Centre in these car parks for up to two hours and pool users will validate their parking using a tablet on the reception desk, similar to the current system at Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre.
Cllr Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council, commented: “This new facility for Stevenage is a key part of the wider transformation of the town centre, supporting the communities and businesses of Stevenage. The existing sports, health, and wellbeing services provided within Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre and Stevenage Swimming Centre are well used, and whilst we understand that the closure of the car park is frustrating, this is necessary to allow us to future proof these services by replacing them with brand new facilities in the new building”.
The new facility combines the sports facilities currently located at the Arts & Leisure Centre and Stevenage Swimming Centre. They will be re-provided in a new state of the art building with a wide range of innovative and exciting services and activities, promoting healthy living and wellbeing for residents. The new facility will have a 25-metre, 10-lane swimming pool, a teaching pool, splash pad, soft-play, a six-court sports hall, fitness suite, multi-purpose studios and a café that can be accessed from the Town Centre Gardens.
Cllr Simon Speller, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Wellbeing, added: “The existing sports and leisure centre facilities, including the current swimming pool, are well used but were designed and built in the 1960’s and 70’s. By combining leisure and sports facilities the town 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”.
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 this new facility.
Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair of the Stevenage Development Board, commented: “We are delighted that we are starting to build our fabulous new Sports & Leisure Centre in the town and we will keep our existing facilities in use while we create our fabulous new ones. This will create some inconveniences for which we apologise but the long term benefits of the new facilities will be well worth the wait.
“This project is a major feature of our Towns Fund allocation and will certainly feature strongly in the bold regeneration of our wonderful town as we continue to make Stevenage Even Better!”
Morgan Sindall Construction, who have extensive experience of building leisure facilities, have been appointed to help deliver the Sports & Leisure Centre. The upgraded facility will be managed by Everyone Active, a specialist leisure operator who operate the council’s leisure facilities within the town. Everyone Active will be liaising with their members, including schools and clubs who use the facilities, in advance of the closure to confirm parking arrangements.
Emma Curtis, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Northern Home Counties, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have begun the construction of the new Stevenage Leisure Centre. This project plays a vital role in the transformation of Stevenage, and we’re delighted to be a part of it”.
Allan Prescott, Everyone Active Contract Manager, said: “The new Sports & Leisure Centre will be a fantastic addition for the town and we’re proud to be working with Stevenage Borough Council to support its delivery. We understand that the temporary closure of the car park may be frustrating for some customers, and we appreciate their patience while this important project progresses. 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.”
Further information can be found by visiting the website Morgan Sindall Construction to deliver Stevenage Sports & Leisure Centre | Morgan Sindall Construction, and a series of Frequently Asked Questions are listed below.
Q: How do I access the Swimming Centre?
Access to the Swimming Centre will remain unchanged and is through the main doors.
Q: Why is the existing car park going to be closed?
To ensure the safety of all Stevenage Swimming Centre users during the construction of the new facility, there will be no parking onsite for the duration of construction works. The car park between the Swimming Centre and Bowes Lyon Centre is the location of the new facility where construction will be taking place, whilst the other car park will be used as a compound during construction.
The car park will be closed from the end of the day on Sunday 12 April. It will remain closed for the duration of the works and parking will resume when the facility opens in Spring 2028.
Q: The closure is an inconvenience. Was there no alternative?
The closure of the car park allows the existing Swimming Centre to remain open whilst the new facility is built. The other option was to close the existing Swimming Centre for two years which was not acceptable given its popularity and high levels of usage for both lessons and fun swimming.
Q: Where should I park?
It is recommended to park at St George’s Way Multi-Storey Car Park (SG1 1EP) or The Forum Car Park (SG1 1ES) during this closure.
Q: Will parking be free for users of Stevenage Swimming Centre?
Parking will be re-provided free to users of the Swimming Centre for up to two hours. Users will need enter their vehicle registration number at the reception desk, which will allow up to two hours free parking similar to the current system that is in use.
Q: I have a blue badge. Where should I park?
Parking for blue badge holders is available within both St George’s Way Multi-Storey Car Park and The Forum Car Park. Additionally, an agreement has been reached with the neighbouring Bowes Lyon to allow their parking facility to be used for drop-off and pick-up for those with the highest accessibility needs.
Q: What about the new crossing over St Georges Way?
A pedestrian crossing is due to be installed across St Georges Way to provide a safe and easy crossing from The Forum Car Park to the existing and new facility. This is a complex process which requires the support of various partners, including the County Council. Securing the remaining permissions is in the final stages and work is due to commence in early May. It will take approximately eight weeks to complete.
Q: Has there been any consultation around this?
Engagement with the local community and users of the Swimming Centre started in November 2023 when proposals for the new Sports & Leisure Centre were first made public. Engagement, including with the clubs using the pool, was ongoing throughout the planning process and has continued until this point, and will continue throughout the construction period.
The team has spoken to swimming clubs who use the Swimming Centre about the appropriate options and mitigation measures.
Additionally, the team has engaged with representatives from invis-Ability to evaluate the proposed alternative routes for those with accessibility needs.
Q: Are the alternative car parks safe?
St George’s Way Multi-Storey Car Park has recently undergone some upgrades and is well lit with CCTV coverage on each floor, including in the stairwells. The Forum car park, located opposite the Swimming Centre, is a surface level car park and can be accessed by a well-lit pedestrian path and underpasses leading to Stevenage Swimming Centre. A new pedestrian crossing across the carriageway is also due to be opened in early summer.
Walking routes from the alternative car parks will have directional signage stencilled on to the floor to the Swimming Centre.
Q: What about club and school coach drop-offs and pick-ups?
A temporary drop-off and pick-up area for coaches has been arranged on Cuttys Lane, developed in conjunction with Everyone Active. Everyone Active will liaise directly with the clubs and schools that use Stevenage Swimming Centre to ensure that they are aware of the new arrangements and the most appropriate walking route to the facility.
This is a temporary arrangement that will be in place for the construction period. A new coach drop off and pick up area is included as part of the new facility.
Q: Have clubs that use the pool been informed?
Yes, Everyone Active and the council are liaising with clubs that use the Swimming Centre.
Q: Where is the nearest bus stop?
The closest bus stops are along Fairlands Way (near Silam Road) and by Aldi. There is an additional bus stop on Cuttys Lane.
Q: Where can I park my bicycle?
Existing cycle hoops are located by the Forum Car Park.
Q: What were the works that happened earlier this year?
The works that took place to the exterior of Stevenage Swimming Centre involved the construction of a new electrical substation and associated preparation.