Farnborough leisure centre given government go-ahead

Plans to build a new leisure centre in Farnborough have been given the go-ahead by central government.

Rushmoor Borough Council had been awarded £20m of Levelling Up funding for a facility mixing leisure and culture in the town, but the local authority revisited the plans last year when it became clear that because of the council’s financial position and increased costs, it was no longer affordable.

Therefore, the council was unsure whether the funding – which had been secured based on the more comprehensive leisure and cultural hub plans, which included a library – could be used towards the scheme.

However, following representations led by Alex Baker, Aldershot and Farnborough’s Member of Parliament, ministers have now given permission for the remaining funds to be used towards delivering the leisure centre.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has also reviewed the plans and confirmed it is content for the council to progress with drawing up detailed designs for the new building.

The new centre is now set to include a 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool and learner pool, along with a gym offering more than 100 fitness stations. There will also be three fitness studios and a specially designed ‘wellness hub’ with power-assisted equipment to support people, who are less mobile or active, to take part in low-impact exercise.

The council will now start to draw up detailed designs for the new centre, with a view to submitting a new planning application later this year. Building work would then start in spring 2026, with a scheduled opening of autumn 2027.

Councillor Gareth Williams, Leader of Rushmoor Council, said: “This is a major step forward to delivering the new leisure centre our residents deserve.