Leeds is set to welcome a cutting-edge sports hub to replace the aging Fearnville Leisure Centre. The new facility will boast a 25m swimming pool, 120-station gym, all-weather sports pitch, and more, promising to enhance community health and well-being in the area.
What are the features of the new state-of-the-art sports hub replacing Fearnville Leisure Centre?
The new sports hub in Leeds will include:
– A 25-metre main swimming pool
– Learner pool with splash pads
– 120-station gym
– All-weather sports pitch
– Spin studio
– Family-friendly changing village
– Soft play areas and party rooms
– Café
Project Overview
The city of Leeds is set to witness a transformation in its sports and leisure offerings, following approval from the Leeds City Council’s north and east plans panel. At the heart of this transformation is the redevelopment of the ageing Fearnville Leisure Centre located in Gipton, which first opened its doors in the 1980s. The centre is now earmarked for replacement by a cutting-edge sports and wellbeing hub designed to cater to the modern needs of the community.
The proposed hub will be situated on a portion of the expansive 28-acre King George V Playing Fields, which currently houses the existing leisure centre. The new facility promises a suite of high-quality amenities:
- A 25-metre main swimming pool
- A learner pool complemented with water splash pads
- An impressively equipped 120-station gym
- All-weather sports pitch
- A dedicated spin studio
- A family-friendly changing village
- Soft play areas and party rooms
- A welcoming café for relaxation and socializing
Work on the new centre is slated to commence early in the upcoming year, with an estimated construction timeline of approximately 18 months. During this time, the Fearnville Leisure Centre will remain operational until the new hub is ready to serve the public, after which the old building will be demolished.
Community Impact
The decision to invest in a new sports and wellbeing hub has been met with positive anticipation, as it aims to significantly boost the health and overall quality of life for residents in the surrounding areas of Gipton and Harehills, as well as Killingbeck and Seacroft. These areas are characterized by densely populated neighborhoods that face challenges such as low life expectancy and high obesity rates, issues that the new facility hopes to mitigate by encouraging active lifestyles.
Councillor Salma Arif, serving as the executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles, and culture, expressed optimism about the project’s potential impact:
“This is an exciting step forward in the delivery of a brand new facility that will provide a significant boost to the health and well-being of people in east Leeds,” she said. “We hope the new centre will be a great source of pride for the local community, offering increased opportunities for physical activities as well as bringing social and mental health benefits to all who use it.”
The council’s ambition is clear, as Councillor Arif further elaborated:
“Improving the health and wellbeing of our residents is one of the foundations of the council’s Best City Ambition, and this new facility reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the people who are the poorest improve their health the fastest.”
The new sports hub is not just a site for human activity; it also includes environmentally conscious plans that will enhance the local ecosystem. Initiatives such as tree-planting and soft landscaping are set to increase the site’s biodiversity, providing habitats for insects, birds, and other wildlife, and offering residents fresh opportunities to engage with nature.
The Future Landscape
Looking ahead, Leeds City Council anticipates a growing local demand for sports and leisure facilities as the city expands. The East Leeds Extension, which includes a plan for thousands of new homes alongside other development sites, will inevitably increase the population and the need for accessible, modern facilities such as the proposed sports hub.
The council’s proactive approach to planning for the future underscores the importance of sports and leisure amenities as integral components of urban development and community wellness. As the project moves into its next phase, residents and local sports clubs eagerly await the materialization of this long-standing ambition into a vibrant reality that promises to revitalize the area and bolster community engagement.
For media enquiries regarding the Fearnville Leisure Centre redevelopment and the future sports hub, please contact the Leeds City Council communications and marketing team at communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 378 6007.
ENDS
- The new sports hub in Leeds will include a 25-metre main swimming pool, learner pool with splash pads, 120-station gym, all-weather sports pitch, spin studio, family-friendly changing village, soft play areas, and a café.
- The redevelopment of the Fearnville Leisure Centre in Leeds is part of a transformation of sports and leisure offerings in the city.
- The new facility will be situated on a portion of the 28-acre King George V Playing Fields and is expected to take approximately 18 months to construct.
- The new sports and wellbeing hub aims to boost health and quality of life for residents in Gipton, Harehills, Killingbeck, and Seacroft.
- The project includes plans for environmental initiatives like tree-planting to enhance the local ecosystem.