Connecting Services

Cath Thom Leisure Centre, Hyndburn Borough Council’s 󹀹 agship development, looks to maximise the potential of existing outdoor facilities to deliver the region’s first integrated sport and leisure hub of its kind

The new Cath Thom Leisure Centre at Wilson Sports Village in Clayton-le- Moors, Lancashire, officially opened its doors to the public this October, marking an ambitious expansion of the site’s popular outdoor facilities. The largest project in Hyndburn’s leisure transformation plan, the centre offers a range of modern indoor spaces for people of all ages and abilities creating a well-connected sports and wellbeing destination. Wilson Sports Village, which includes a running track, sports pitches and woodland trails, is already used by a range of clubs and organisations. These include Hyndburn Park Run, Hyndburn Athletics Club and Wheels for All, which has provided inclusive cycling programmes at the track for more than 17 years. The addition of the new leisure centre, and particularly its dedicated changing facilities for outdoor sports teams, will enable these organisations to expand their programmes, enhancing the overall experience for participants and visitors alike.

Delivered by Alliance Leisure – its sixth successful project for Hyndburn Borough Council – the project is an example of how existing outdoor spaces can be optimised to create more opportunities for people to get active.

“As Hyndburn Borough Council’s flagship leisure project, the Cath Thom Leisure Centre has been a particularly special scheme to work on,” says Tom Gardner, Business Development Manager at Alliance Leisure. “Integrating the centre into the Wilson Sports Village has created the first sport and leisure hub of its kind locally, which connects sports, health and wellbeing. The new facility offers the community new and different ways to be active, connect with others and share experiences.”

The new facility offers the community new and different ways to be active, connect with others and share experiences

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The development faced a potentially catastrophic setback following the collapse of the original contractor

Overcoming adversity

Funded through a £12.9m investment led by Hyndburn Borough Council, with £2.64m secured from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities Fund, the centre looks to set a new benchmark for delivering cost-effective, inclusive and sustainable facilities tailored to the needs of the local community.

“This landmark development reflects our commitment to creating high-quality, inclusive spaces that help people of all backgrounds and abilities get active,” says Kevin Mills, Director of Place Development at Sport England. “Hyndburn’s vision for Wilson Sports Village aligns perfectly with our goal of delivering the right facilities in the right places.”

The development faced a potentially catastrophic setback following the collapse of the original contractor, ISG, which went into administration in September 2024. The scheme had been progressing well until that point, with around 45 per cent of the work complete. The collapse of ISG forced works to come to a halt with the site returning to Council control on 27 September.

Working around the clock, Alliance Leisure and the council were quickly able to appoint a new contractor, Universal Civils and Build Ltd. This allowed works to resume in January 2025 in line with the original scope, specification and quality standards, ultimately saving the Council considerable costs.

Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “The Cath Thom Leisure Centre has been a real success story for Hyndburn. Alliance Leisure’s experience and hands-on approach helped us deliver the project to a high standard. With support from Sport England and other partners, we’ve created a fantastic, accessible, low carbon leisure facility which will provide opportunities for sport and physical activity for generations to come.”

DELIVERING THE PROJECT ARCHITECTS Pozzoni DEVELOPMENT PARTNER Alliance Leisure CONTRACTOR Universal Civils and Build Ltd PROJECT MANAGER Axiom Project Services MEP CGP MEP STRUCTURAL Bradshaw, Gass and Hope POOL FILTRATION FT Leisure

Inclusive, sustainable design

Designed by Pozzoni Architecture, the centre offers a four-lane, 25-metre swimming pool; a fitness suite; multi-purpose studio; sauna and steam room; café; changing village; community club room and external changing facilities for outdoor sports users.

Accessibility was a key focus throughout the design. The single-storey building is fully accessible with full level access throughout and wide corridors and doors to make movement easier for everyone. Other features include dedicated accessible showers, toilets and changing facilities as well as a fully equipped Changing Places room for those who need extra space and support.

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The swimming pool is equipped with the Poolpod 3.0; a platform lift system offering a safe, dignified and independent entry experience. The centre also has clear and concise signage with added symbols and Braille, while blinds installed between the café and pool area give users the option of privacy when using the pool. The centre has also made provision for accessible parking spaces, with ramps, handrails and outdoor seating to help visitors feel welcome and comfortable.

Sustainability was also central to the project. In fact, the facility is one of the key environmentally responsible buildings in the borough, achieving an impressive A-rated energy efficiency thanks to high-performance construction materials, innovative design features and rigorous quality controls.

The centre’s fossil fuel-free heating, cooling and hot water systems are powered by energy-efficient technologies and supported by solar panels, dramatically reducing the building’s carbon footprint. These measures reduce carbon emissions and running costs, while placing the centre on the cusp of an A+ rating, supporting the Council’s ambition to achieve net-zero carbon activities by 2030.

Operated by Hyndburn Leisure, the centre is named in honour of Cath Thom, the late Councillor for Clayton-Le-Moors, Mayor of Hyndburn and Honorary Alderman and has been well received by the public, with hundreds of memberships sold in the first week of pre-sale.

The swimming pool is equipped with Poolpod 3.0; a platform lift system offering a safe, dignified and independent entry experience

The development is an example of how thoughtful investment and design can unlock the full potential of existing outdoor sports spaces to create a seamless hub for sport, recreation and wellness. Complementing Wilson Sports Village’s pitches, running track and trail with modern indoor facilities maximises the value of the site, supports local clubs and community organisations and gives people of all ages and abilities more opportunities to be active all year round.