Leisure centre closes for 18-month overhaul

Councillor Matt Swindlehurst says the council has been working hard to offer alternative facilities for customers

A leisure centre in Staffordshire has closed for18 months while extensive refurbishment work takes place.

Work on the £17m redevelopment of Brough Park Leisure Centre in Leek will provide new swimming pools, fitness facilities, an indoor soft play area and wellness suite, according to council bosses.

They said customers could use other centres in Biddulph and Cheadle while the Leek site is closed.

Some classes and groups have already been transferred to other sites, the council added.

Parents and carers with children having swimming lessons can switch to Biddulph, Cheadle or Buxton.

Some group exercise classes will take place at Birchall Pavilion in Leek from early in October - including Zumba, body pump, yoga, Pilates and indoor cycle sessions.

Customers also have the option of using Biddulph Valley and South Moorlands leisure centres which provide gyms, swimming, squash and exercise classes.

Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, cabinet member for leisure at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: “As people will understand, it's impossible to carry out a construction project like this and keep the centre open."

“We have been working hard to try to offer as many alternatives as possible,” he added.

A new council-owned company has taken over the management of all three leisure centres in the Staffordshire Moorlands, along with four in Derbyshire, as part of a partnership with High Peak Borough Council.

"The name above the door will change and the staff will be wearing smart new uniforms,” Mr Swindlehurst said.

The centres will be rebadged under the MyActive brand and run by Alliance Leisure Limited.

The council also recently installed outdoor fitness equipment at Birchall Recreation Ground in Leek.

It is free to use, and includes three cardio machines, a hand bike, a cross trainer and a bike, and some fixed magnetic bells for strength work.

A leg press machine with an adjustable weighted system and adjustable seated position is also available and some fixed items which promote callisthenic exercise.