Consultation begins on £8m revamp of Bury St Edmunds leisure centre

West Suffolk Council has launched a public consultation to help shape a multi-million pound investment at Bury St Edmunds leisure centre.

The council is seeking the views of the public and current users on the proposed changes to the centre.

The consultation follows councillors at West Suffolk Council voting in favour of additional funding subject to a public consultation on improving the Beetons Way leisure centre.

Any additional investment, over and above the existing budget already in the council’s capital programme, will be subject to the output of the full public consultation and a business case based upon invest to earn and save principles.

The cost of the redevelopment is expected to be around £8m.

Options being considered include the refurbishment of the gym, inclusion of Egym technology, the creation of a dedicated indoor cycling studio and the adding of a health and wellbeing area with eighttreatment rooms. The pool halls will also be refurbished – including the replacement of the moveable pool floor in the activity pool– and a splash pad with water play features will be built in the leisure pool space.

West Suffolk Council will work with facility operator Abbeycroft – which manages the centre on behalf of the council – on the consultation process.

Councillor Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure at West Suffolk Council, said: “We want people – those who use the leisure centre and those who aren’t using it yet – to give their views and help shape its future.

“Our strategic priority for Thriving Communities includes ensuring our residents can access good quality sport and leisure facilities to support their health and wellbeing.

“Refurbishing the leisure centre will provide the opportunity to improve the facility, enhancing what it has to offer so that they are better matched to what people need.”