The date a state-of-the-art sports and leisure centre is set to be built in Stevenage is confirmed in a new business contract, allaying disquiet in the community that the project may have been shelved.

Stevenage Borough Council has awarded a 10-year contract to Everyone Active to manage leisure facilities in the town, after Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) lost the contract it had held for 25 years.

Everyone Active will take over from April 1 and the facilities affected include Stevenage Swimming Centre, Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre, Fairlands Valley Outdoor Activity Centre, Southfield Showground, Ridlins Athletics Stadium and Stevenage Golf and Conference Centre.

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Duncan Jefford, regional director at Everyone Active, said: “The new contract includes significant investments, including a new leisure centre development planned for 2027, amplifying the drive to prioritise the health and wellbeing of the local community."

The Comet:

In February 2022, the borough council's Executive backed a business case for a new sports and leisure hub next to Town Centre Gardens on the current swimming centre site, to include swimming, studios, gym space and flexible sports facilities.

Confirmation that Everyone Active's contract includes the new leisure centre development for 2027 allays anecodtal concerns in the community - driven largely by the current economic climate - that the project may have been shelved.

The council has previously pointed out that the project forms part of the transformation of the town centre through the Towns Fund, through which Stevenage has already secured £37.5million from central government.

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Duncan said: "I am delighted we have been chosen to support the council’s exciting visions,” adding: "We believe leisure and cultural facilities are pivotal in providing a wide range of services to the community."

He said: “We want the community to view the leisure and arts centres as community hubs, and will work hard to engage and educate people from all backgrounds in not only physical activity, but also arts development activity."

Councillor Richard Henry, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, said: “After going through a lengthy and robust procurement process, the partnership with Everyone Active will help bring more leisure services to local people. It will bring a significant boost to our leisure and cultural offer in Stevenage, including a new Stevenage Active Resident Card and a wide range of new innovative sports and leisure facilities.

"I am pleased to see this new partnership contribute to the health and wellbeing objectives of the council.”