Work has started on a superb new community and leisure centre in Houghton Regis that will enable residents to enjoy modern sports, fitness, and community facilities.

Central Bedfordshire Council secured £20 million of government Levelling Up funding for the centre to be built on the site of the former Houghton Regis Academy, by the Council’s appointed contractor Morgan Sindall.

The community and leisure complex will open towards the end of 2024 and includes a wealth of high-quality amenities.

An eight-lane 25-metre pool, a learner pool with a movable floor to raise or lower the depth for swimming lessons and classes, and a separate shallow pool for people to gain confidence will provide for all swimming abilities.

A substantial fitness suite with over 100 stations, two squash courts, a dedicated spinning bikes studio, and multi-use exercise studios offering a range of classes and activities, will mean people should find an activity they can enjoy.

As well as the sports and fitness facilities, the building will have a spacious foyer and reception area, with a large public café, community spaces, a creche and Changing Places facilities for disabled visitors.  

Outside will feature a children’s play area available for visitors and the community, and a fitness trail set amongst the landscaped areas surrounding the centre.

A 238-space car park will include electric vehicle charging points, motorcycle parking, accessible parking bays, and cycle parking. Improved walking and cycling routes will connect the building to other parts of the Kingsland Campus and the wider community.  

Cllr Tracey Stock, Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing and Communities, said: “It’s great to see work get underway on this new community and leisure centre in Houghton Regis. It will provide residents with access to the best possible facilities and contribute to the wider plans that are transforming the area.  

“This major project is part of our ongoing commitment to providing Central Bedfordshire residents with top-quality sports and leisure amenities, as we appreciate the importance of having an active lifestyle for our health and wellbeing.”

David Rowsell, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Northern Home Counties, said: “We’re excited to see this project commence, as we know that the new community and leisure centre will provide a wide range of benefits for the people living and working in Houghton Regis. The enhanced facilities of the new centre will make this a hub of the community that will engage local people in healthy lifestyles and improve overall wellbeing levels. We’re delighted to be continuing our collaborative relationship with Central Bedfordshire Council on this sustainable, state-of-the-art facility.”

The existing Houghton Regis Leisure Centre will remain open until the new centre is complete to ensure residents have continuous access to leisure provision.

Key partners that have helped get the project to the construction stage include DB3 Architects, Press and Starkey, Furness Partnership and Concertus.
  
Further information is available at: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/kingsland