Work progresses on £30m leisure hub

Work is progressing on a new leisure and community centre that is billed as offering modern sports, fitness, and other facilities for local residents.

The centre in Leighton Buzzard is due to open in summer 2026 and represents an investment of more than £30m by Central Bedfordshire Council.

The council said the Leighton Leisure and Community Centre would "provide up-to-date leisure facilities for the surrounding area".

The existing Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre would remain open until the new facility was ready. The sports hall and squash courts linked to Cedars Upper School would continue to be available for community use.

Located to the north of Clipstone Brook, the plans include an eight-lane, 25-metre pool with spectator seating and learner pool which would measure a 17x10 metres and have a depth-adjustable floor for swimming lessons.

A separate shallow pool, called 2confidence water", would be available for very young children.

The centre also features a 150-station gym, two squash courts, a spinning studio, and two multi-use exercise studios.

Community and support spaces will include a foyer and reception area, a large cafe open to both centre users and the public, flexible community rooms, and a dedicated creche.

There will also be two Changing Places facilities for disabled visitors, a serving hatch from the cafe to the outside for pitch users, and additional changing facilities for those using the adjacent outdoor sports pitches.

Improved walking and cycling routes, planned as part of the Clipstone Park development, will connect the centre to other parts of town.

Steve Watkins, executive member for leisure at the council, said: "It's great that work is under way.

"The Leighton Leisure and Community Centre will be yet another great addition to our already brilliant leisure offering across Central Bedfordshire, and I look forward to attending the opening next year."

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