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

The consultation comes following 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 an invest to earn/save principles.

Options being considered include:

• remodelling the main entrance area
• a new café and soft play through the conversion of part of the leisure pool space
• the creation of a splash pad with water play features in the leisure pool space and retention of the flumes
• a refurbishment of the changing area as well as refurbishment of the poolside shower and toilets
• the refurbishment of the pool halls including the replacement of the moveable pool floor in the activity pool, the replacement of the pool edge tiles, replacement of pool balustrades and a deep clean of the area
• the creation of a health and wellbeing area, with the addition of eight treatment rooms along with the refurbishment of an existing studio
• the refurbishment of the gym and inclusion of an E-gym as well as the creation of a dedicated spin studio and retention of the college gym space
• the refurbishment and enhancement of the health suite area
• refurbishment of the sports hall including a new timber floor

Final proposals for improvements will be informed by the outcome of this survey and their affordability. To have your say, complete the survey here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/x-BuryStEdmundsLeisureCentreSurvey2024/. As well as this online survey, the council and Abbeycroft will also be speaking directly to centre users, local residents and key stakeholders to help shape the plans.

Any further investment will also consider the benefits delivered and also how it can increase income or deliver greater savings.

The resulting works would be coordinated to minimise disruption as best as possible.

Cllr 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.

“At a time when many councils nationally may be cutting back on things like leisure, we are looking to invest.

“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. It will also allow us to further develop the work between health and leisure services to maintain a healthy lifestyle, aid recovery and help people manage a medical condition.”

Warren Smyth, Chief Executive Officer of Abbeycroft said: “The proposed options to refurbish the leisure centre are very positive and will help improve the experience to all visitors. We welcome the views of our customer base and user groups via the public consultation which we will be sharing in due course.”

The West Suffolk Council consultation on the Bury St Edmunds leisure centre will run from Thursday 22 August to Thursday 26 September. Details on the proposed changes, and how people can respond to the consultation, can be found here https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/Consultations/bury-leisure-centre-enhancements-consultation.cfm.