Leicester leisure centre investment programme: Phase 3 consultation

Proposal 1: Leicester Leys Leisure Centre development 

We are seeking views on plans to develop Leicester Leys Leisure Centre into a leisure, learning and wellness facility.

£8 million would be invested to create a leisure and multi-service centre providing a library, leisure centre with active wellbeing facilities under one roof.

It would include: 

1. The relocation and integration of Beaumont Leys Library within the leisure centre. Co-location of services is seen as national best practice. We have done this already at Aylestone Leisure Centre.

2. The creation of a new, 500 square metre library space designed to improve access to library services and community facilities. The existing Beaumont Leys Library would remain open until the new one has been built. 

3. Installation of new leisure pool flumes. 

4. Upgrades to the leisure pool and fun pool area, including new features designed to better cater for babies, toddlers and young children. 

5. The development of a 140-fitness station gym with new fitness equipment. 

6. New dance studio which would also be used as a community wellbeing space. 

7. Spacious reception with communal exhibition space to allow for fast-track entry, effective customer queuing, grab and go drinks and snacks and space for promotional activity. 

8. Improved connectivity and visibility of the climbing facility within the centre.

Proposal 2: Future of New Parks Leisure Centre 

We are also seeking feedback on the proposed closure of New Parks Leisure Centre.

Our assessment indicates that there is a significant overlap in the catchment areas served by New Parks Leisure Centre, Braunstone Leisure Centre and Leicester Leys Leisure Centre. Analysis of council leisure centre users living in the western wards of the city shows that around 70% already choose Braunstone Leisure Centre or Leicester Leys Leisure Centre as their primary council leisure facility.

A supplementary information pack attached to this survey provides details about the centre, but to summarise:

• There are 1,347 registered New Parks Leisure Centre users, representing approximately 4.3% of leisure centre users in the city.

• New Parks Leisure Centre has relatively low levels of usage by local residents, who attend for a mixture of activities, including swimming and classes.

• In addition, there are five city primary schools that use New Parks for swimming, and local organisations that use it for sport, including squash.

• It requires the highest level of subsidy from the Council of all our leisure centres, and the amount of subsidy per visit is higher than all the others. 

• The Council has already reviewed the operation of the centre to reduce its financial overheads, but despite this it is still run with a significant subsidy - more than any other centre in the city.

If the decision was taken to close New Parks Leisure Centre:

• A programme of exercise and group fitness, including classes such as yoga and Pilates would be developed and delivered from community buildings within New Parks.

• School swimming would be relocated to Braunstone Leisure Centre, and schools would be supported to ensure continuity of lessons.

• Squash provision would be maintained at Leicester Leys with current clubs being relocated to support their programmes. 

• All aquatics clubs would be relocated to alternative centres. 

The centre is constrained by its age, condition, design and layout, leaving no realistic opportunity for redevelopment or reconfiguration that would significantly improve its appeal and overall performance. 

The site occupies a strategically important location within the city. Should the leisure centre close, the land could be considered for alternative uses, including helping to meet the city's need for social housing. No decision has been made on the future use of the site, and any proposals for the site would be subject to separate consideration and approval processes.

We would like your views on these proposals and on how to meet the needs of local communities, now and in the future.