The new multi-million-pound leisure centre in Stone will open its doors next week, and ALBOS got a sneak peek today of the exciting facilities that are going to be available.
The new leisure centre on Westbridge Park brings together a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, top of the range gym, and fitness studios, under one roof, as shown in our picture gallery below. It will open to the public for the first time on Friday 5 April.
The outdated sports centre currently on Westbridge Park will be demolished starting on 15th April, making way for more parking for the new, highly energy efficient, £7.5 million facility.
The centre will be run by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Stafford Borough Council, and is the biggest leisure investment in the borough that the council has made from its own resources. As part of the investment a new Guides HQ was built and a multi-use games area will also be sited at Westbridge.
Stafford Borough Council leader, Patrick Farrington, said: “It is great to be announcing that the new leisure centre in Stone will be open for children, families and local people to enjoy from next week. It brings a fantastic new pool, along with top of the range gym and fitness studios for a range of classes under one roof.”
“This is part of the significant investment in the future of leisure for Stone – and the latest addition to a town that is on the up. We have seen a very popular M&S built next door to the leisure centre – that is a top UK outlet making a decision to come to an area and demonstrates confidence in the local economy.
“On the back of this confidence B&M developed a store in the heart of the town and a vibrant High Street has occupancy rates that are much better than the national average.”
The centre boasts both fully assisted and ambulant disabled facilities, along with an Oxford Dipper pool lift, and will have around ten disabled parking spaces.
More than 90% of those who gave feedback during a previous consultation said they would use the new leisure centre. And nearly 80% said it was important, or very important, to have the facilities under one roof.
Cllr Farrington added: “I am extremely proud that we have delivered a brand new facility to the people of Stone and surrounding areas – and in doing so we are reversing a national trend that has seen local authority leisure centres and swimming pools being closed, or under threat of closure, to save money.”
While all decisions on staffing will be down to Freedom Leisure, there will likely be a handful of job opportunities for lifeguards etc. Parking charges for the new centre will also be lead by Freedom, so are likely to be similar to Stafford Leisure Centre, which are Mon-Sat 08:00 – 18:00 1 Hour £1.50, 3 Hours £2.50, 4 Hours £3.00, with disabled parking free of charge. We will update our article when final charges are revealed.
The new centre will mean the general public have greater access to swimming, opening from 6:30 am and being available throughout the day subject to timetables. This was not the position with the pool at the town’s Alleyne’s Academy which was used by the school under a shared agreement with the local authority and only available to the public outside school hours.
The further leisure development of Westbridge Park will be continuing over the coming months. Stafford Borough Council will be looking to fully involve the public in planning consultations and focus groups. When developing Victoria Park in Stafford, they consulted around 1,500 people and will be looking for people with expertise in the proposed projects to give their views.
4 comments
rachael
I would like to know who is exactly consulted when designing the disabled access? Why have they not instead thought out side of the box? and considered installing a ramp into the pool with railings that could be accessible either by supporting oneself or by specific wheelchairs or walkers? which would then help to empower instead of making myself feel even more dependent and too embarrassed to even attend. I feel sad that there are no local pools that have ever properly considered disabled users aside from the token changing room or hoist albeit an oxford one at that …
Jon Cook
There were many people and groups consulted and the public was included in the consultation process. Did you take part in the consultation? https://alittlebitofstone.com/2017/04/04/stone-leisure-centre-gets-public-approval/
Christine bamford
Do we know the cost for a swim please? Also where are the badminton courts?
Mark
No Badminton courts they are still at Alleynes Sports centre. I’ve got a feeling a single adult swim is a little over a fiver. Best to ring Alleynes Pool they can tell you. 01785 815715