A proposed new Sports & Leisure Centre for Stevenage

The proposed new Sports & Leisure Centre is a modern, state of the art leisure facility that will encompass swimming, studios, gym, flexible sports and leisure space, consolidating the majority of sports, leisure and swimming facilities currently being provided at different locations to one new, purpose-built building. Whilst as many activities as possible will be accommodated, this is designed to be a general facility and not all specialist sports will be included.

The proposals will see wet and dry facilities available under one roof, whereas they are currently split across two different locations. The facilities will be modern, sustainable and ensuring that those using this have access to fresh and high quality areas for health, wellbeing, leisure and sports.

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 we will not only have a much better, high quality facility on one site, but also a highly improved customer experience, lower maintenance costs, more efficient use of space and a significant reduction in our carbon footprint. The building will be powered by renewable technologies including solar panels and air source heat power.

The project is being funded partly through Towns Fund, using some of the £37.5m awarded in March 2021.

The proposed new Sports & Leisure Centre for Stevenage will be adjacent to the Town Centre Gardens on St George’s Way. It will be located on the car park between Bowes Lyon House and the existing Swimming Centre.

No. Bowes Lyon House and the skatepark are not being demolished to make way for the new facility. They will remain as they are and will continue to be managed by Hertfordshire County Council.

The new Sports & Leisure Centre will incorporate facilities including swimming, activity studios, gym, a sports hall, and flexible sports and leisure facilities with a wide range of services and activities on offer. The venue will encompass more than just sports, becoming a place for leisure, and an additional focal point for the town. The proposals include soft play, splash pad for introducing small children to water and the addition of a café which can be enjoyed by all with access and views of the Town Centre Gardens.

The Sports & Leisure Centre will be a modern facility with cutting edge designs providing a wide range of diverse facilities and services to ensure that whole community will be able to benefit from in a comfortable, safe, accessible, and modern environment.

The majority of leisure, sport, health and wellbeing services including the Healthy Hub will be transferred to the new and enhanced by improved facilities and additional services.

No. The proposed new facility is focused on bringing together the sports and swimming facilities currently provided at Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, and Stevenage Swimming Centre. The theatre will not be moving to the new facility and will continue to operate as normal during the development and after the new Sports & Leisure Centre opens.

The new facility will make efficient use of space, and with three floors the facility will provide a larger wet-use area than the current provision, including more and larger studio spaces and a larger gym than at present.

Although the Sports Hall will be slightly smaller in size, the activities that take place in the existing space will still be able to continue.

The building will be built to modern, legal and best practice standards and specifications, including being fully accessible with a wide range of options and services which allow everyone to participate in health, wellbeing, sports and leisure activities.

Yes, the new facility will enable everyone within our community to use the facility and will include, for example:  

• Hearing aid induction loops for people with impaired hearing  
• Dementia-friendly design to make navigation as easy as possible 
• Accessible entrances and lifts suitable for wheelchair users 
• Easy pool access using pool pods 
• A specialist Changing Places facility that can cater for a wide range of disabilities  
• Special educational needs multi-sensory equipment included in the teaching pool and splash pad areas 
• Easy access to toilets and changing accommodation, including fully accessible toilets and changing facilities 
• Buggy and wheelchair storage 
• Wheelchair-accessible lockers 
• Full height lockers for storage of walking aids 

There is still a long way to go before construction starts. Following this round of community engagement, a planning application will be submitted and then the scheme will need to be granted planning permission. It is hoped that the new centre will be operational by the end of 2027.

The council’s leisure operator Everyone Active will explore opportunities with the council for a resident discount scheme and other concessions. There is already a concession pricing structure in place for key activities which will be continued.

We don’t expect prices to rise as a direct result of the new facility.

The new leisure facility will be managed by Everyone Active, a specialist leisure operator who already run services in the town. Everyone Active manage over 200 leisure facilities in the UK and work with over 60 local authorities.

Town Centre Gardens will remain open for local residents during construction of the new facility, and assessments will be carried out before and during the works period to assess any potential risks to Town Centre Gardens’ wildlife and biodiversity. Stevenage Borough Council is committed to preserving and enhancing green areas and parks in and around the town centre for local people to enjoy. This includes protecting nature and wildlife.

The building will not encroach into the main Town Centre Gardens. The design will look to incorporate the ground floor café into the Stevenage Centre Park, providing an al fresco experience. The council is also committed to re-providing any lost green space and will enhance the offer.

We encourage local communities to embrace active travel and utilise our 45km of cycleways and pedestrian routes where possible. A key part of the wider transformation of the town is looking at connectivity and access routes throughout the town, including to the new leisure facility.

he building will be accessible via a range of transport options:

• By car. The facility will be served by a car park to the north of the site, with improved access from Fairlands Way. At this stage, the exact number of parking spaces has not been finalised as the landscape design is still being developed. There is additional parking close to the new facility and a multi-storey car park will be developed as part of the Forum site development that will provide up to 300 spaces, conveniently located opposite the facility.  An at-grade crossing will provide easy access to the Sports & Leisure Centre from this car park. 
• By coach. Dedicated coach pick-up and drop-off zones will provide a safe walk to the entrance of the new facility. 
• By bike. Cycle parking will be located close to the entrance and connect to the Town Centre Gardens. A 2m wide cycle path wraps around the current Swimming Centre car park and will be retained.   A Beryl bike bay will be installed. 
• By bus. We have listened to concerns about the availability of town-wide public transport links to the new sports & leisure centre. To address this, we are actively working with Hertfordshire County Council as the public transport provider to explore the feasibility of adding an additional bus stop near the new facility.

We want to encourage active travel, but where car travel is needed spaces will be provided. At this stage, the exact number of parking spaces has not been finalised as the landscape design is still being developed. There is plenty of additional parking near the new facility:

• 5 minute walk: St Georges Multi Storey Car Park – 996 spaces (16 blue badge bays)
• 5 minute walk: The Forum Car Park – 300 spaces (11 blue badge bays)
• 10 minute walk: Westgate Multi Storey Car Park – 364 spaces (17 blue badge bays)

In the future, a multi-storey car park will be developed as part of the Forum site development that will provide up to 300 spaces, conveniently located opposite the facility. An at-grade crossing will provide easy access to the Sports & Leisure Centre from this car park.

No, the existing services will continue to be provided by Everyone Active in their present locations until the new facility is open.

The facility will provide a 25m swimming pool, whereas an Olympic sized swimming pool is 50m long. The swimming pool will have 10 lanes, compared to the existing swimming pool that has six. Some of the pool will have a moveable floor, which will enable us to vary the depth from anything from 1.8 metres deep to the pool surround level.

No. Diving is a specialist activity and requires a lot of investment and as a result diving facilities are limited to key facilities in England. The nearest venues for diving boards are in Hatfield and Luton. We will however have removable diving blocks for use in competitive swimming galas.

There will be a fun filled water play area for our younger users, similar to the Splash Park at Fairlands Valley Park but available for use all year round. This serves as a valuable safe introduction to water.

Basketball, netball, pickleball, futsal, volleyball, short mat bowls and football can all be accommodated.

Following a review of participation levels, we found that the current squash courts are underused, with a low occupancy rate. As a result, squash courts will not be included in the new facility. However, we encourage players to use alternative courts available elsewhere in the town.

While there will be no dedicated bowls space in the new facility, the sport will continue to be available at the existing Arts & Leisure Centre for the foreseeable future as well as short mat bowls in the new facility. We also provide 18 outdoor bowls rinks in Stevenage.

We are also ongoing discussions with local bowls clubs to explore future opportunities.