Sheffield City Council Confirms Rebuild of Three Leisure Centres to Begin in 2026

[SheffieldForum]

 

Sheffield City Council has confirmed that a programme to rebuild three major leisure centres will commence in 2026. The council previously announced its £117 million plan to improve leisure and entertainment facilities, which includes the redevelopment of the Springs, Concord, and Hillsborough sites.

Planning Underway for Major Rebuilds

According to a council spokesperson, the planning stage for the project is now in progress. This includes examining different designs, conducting surveys, and determining costs and timelines. The spokesperson told BBC News, “Springs will be the first facility to be rebuilt, and we expect this will take place in 2026. The feasibility stage includes the development of design options for the new build and stakeholder consultation.” Further feasibility studies for the Concord and Hillsborough Leisure Centres are expected to follow, although exact timescales are still to be determined.

New Management for Sheffield’s Leisure Facilities

Earlier this month, the council announced that Everyone Active, a leading leisure operator, will take over the management of the city’s major sporting venues. This follows the end of Sheffield City Trust's tenure, which had operated these facilities for three decades. Sheffield City Trust returned the facilities to the council in August after facing significant financial difficulties, despite a £7 million bailout from the council two years ago.

 

Everyone Active is set to take over the management of key venues such as the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, and IceSheffield from January 2025. Additionally, they will manage the Springs, Concord, and Hillsborough Leisure Centres, as well as Heeley Pool and three golf courses. By 2026, they are also expected to take control of Graves, Thorncliffe, and Wisewood leisure centres, which are currently managed by Places Leisure.

Investment and Upgrades Across Sheffield

In addition to the rebuilds, Sheffield City Council has confirmed upgrades to Sheffield Arena and the City Hall as part of its £117 million investment plan. This plan follows a series of improvements made to the city’s leisure centres and entertainment venues in 2022, costing £19.2 million. These improvements included essential repairs to electrics, lighting, heating, and roofing. Both Hillsborough and Ponds Forge pools were closed for five months during these upgrades.

 

Everyone Active has expressed its commitment to tailoring the facilities and services to meet the needs of Sheffield’s diverse communities. The operator aims to support the council’s goals of reducing health inequalities and ensuring that sport and leisure services across the city are modern, welcoming, and inclusive.

Looking Ahead

With the upcoming rebuilds and management changes, Sheffield’s sport and leisure facilities are set for a significant transition. Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, has expressed confidence in the future, stating, “Sheffield is a city of sport, and we are incredibly proud of our sporting heritage and facilities. Everyone Active will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to help elevate our sport and leisure offer across the city.”