Leisure centre site options to be announced

Some areas of King Alfred Leisure Centre are more than 80 years old

The final site options for a new leisure centre facility in East Sussex will be revealed in the new year, a council has announced.

Some areas of King Alfred Leisure Centre are more than 80 years old and increasing costs have made it inefficient to operate, Brighton & Hove City Council said.

The authority said it was considering a range of options at the existing site and other potential sites.

More than 100 landowners, property developers and commercial agents were invited to come forward with suitable sites in the west of Brighton and Hove.

Assessments of more than 20 publicly and privately owned sites were conducted – each taking into account location, availability, size, planning restrictions, cost to develop and future cost to maintain the building.

'Signs of deterioration'

The council said parts of the current building did not meet modern standards and refurbishing would be “extremely costly”.

Council leader Bella Sankey said: “I have fond memories of learning to swim there.

“But as people will know, the centre has for some years been showing signs of deterioration.

“There is also a clear economic case for a new leisure centre, which will have reduced running costs, providing a saving for the city in the long term.”

Funding for the new centre will be raised by the disposal of part or all of the current site to a private residential developer.

The plan also states that the development is required to include community facilities and public access to the waterfront.

The final choice of options will be reviewed by independent experts, before a public consultation.

A final decision will be made in early 2024, while on site work is expected to begin in 2025.

The council said it aimed to keep the existing centre open until completion of the new facility.