In order to commence works, the Stevenage Swimming Centre Car Park will be closed from Sunday 12 April, when the Swimming Centre closes at the end of the day. Hoarding will be placed around the existing car park, but access to the Swimming Centre through reception will remain unaffected.

There will be no vehicle access on site for the duration of the works, and the new car park is expected to reopen in 2028, after the new facility opens.

It is recommended that users should park at St George’s Way Multi-Story Car Park (SG1 1EP) or The Forum Car Park (SG1 1ES) during this closure. Blue badge holders can park in either car park. Parking will be re-provided free to users of the Swimming Centre in these car parks for up to two hours and pool users will validate their parking using a tablet on the reception desk, similar to the current system at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre.

Cllr Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council, commented: “This new facility for Stevenage is a key part of the wider transformation of the town centre, supporting the communities and businesses of Stevenage. The existing sports, health, and wellbeing services provided within Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre and Stevenage Swimming Centre are well used, and whilst we understand that the closure of the car park is frustrating, this is necessary to allow us to future proof these services by replacing them with brand new facilities in the new building”.

The new facility combines the sports facilities currently located at the Arts and Leisure Centre and Stevenage Swimming Centre. They will be re-provided in a new state of the art building with a wide range of innovative and exciting services and activities, promoting healthy living and wellbeing for residents. The new facility will have a 25-metre, 10-lane swimming pool, a teaching pool, splash pad, soft-play, a six-court sports hall, fitness suite, multi-purpose studios and a café that can be accessed from the Town Centre Gardens.

Cllr Simon Speller, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Wellbeing, added: “The existing sports and leisure centre facilities, including the current swimming pool, are well used but were designed and built in the 1960’s and 70’s. By combining leisure and sports facilities the town will not only have a much better, high-quality facility on one site, but also a highly improved customer experience with a more efficient use of space”.

The project is being partially funded through the Government’s Towns Fund. The Stevenage Development Board secured £37.5m in March 2021, and a proportion of this will be used for this new facility.

Images supplied by Faulkner Browns

Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair of the Stevenage Development Board, commented: "We are delighted that we are starting to build our fabulous new Sports and Leisure Centre in the town and we will keep our existing facilities in use while we create our fabulous new ones. This will create some inconveniences for which we apologise but the long term benefits of the new facilities will be well worth the wait.

"This project is a major feature of our Towns Fund allocation and will certainly feature strongly in the bold regeneration of our wonderful town as we continue to make Stevenage Even Better!"

Morgan Sindall Construction, who have extensive experience of building leisure facilities, have been appointed to help deliver the Sports and Leisure Centre. The upgraded facility will be managed by Everyone Active, a specialist leisure operator who operate the council’s leisure facilities within the town. Everyone Active will be liaising with their members, including schools and clubs who use the facilities, in advance of the closure to confirm parking arrangements.

Emma Curtis, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Northern Home Counties, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have begun the construction of the new Stevenage Leisure Centre. This project plays a vital role in the transformation of Stevenage, and we’re delighted to be a part of it”.

Allan Prescott, Everyone Active Contract Manager, said: “The new Sports and Leisure Centre will be a fantastic addition for the town and we’re proud to be working with Stevenage Borough Council to support its delivery. We understand that the temporary closure of the car park may be frustrating for some customers, and we appreciate their patience while this important project progresses. Our priority is to keep Stevenage Swimming Centre open and accessible, and we’ll continue working closely with our members, clubs and schools to support them throughout the construction period.”

Further information can be found by visiting the Morgan Sindall Construction to deliver Stevenage Sports and Leisure Centre web pages.

You can also find answers to some of the more common questions on our Swimming Centre Car Park Closure FAQs page.