Wyre Forest's new leisure centre to open in July

The project, which has been backed by Sport England, has been completed on budget and on time, and will save Wyre Forest District Council in excess of £500,000 per year.

Residents will have the opportunity to view the new landmark building in the week leading up to the opening. Places for People Leisure, who won the contract to design, build, operate and manage the centre, is organising tours of the building in the run up to Wednesday, July 6.

People will be able to look around the modern, energy efficient building and take advantage of opening membership offers. Members will also have the chance to complete an induction programme at the centre, in Silverwoods Way, before July 6.

The inductions will be done in group sessions and will mean members can use the equipment as soon as the centre opens.

Some local schools and groups that make regular block bookings and Wyre Forest Swimming Club will be offered a trial session the week before the opening.

The new leisure centre, pictured in April 2016

Wyre Forest District Council leader, Councillor Marcus Hart, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the opening date of Wyre Forest Leisure Centre. We have been aiming for a summer opening and the efficient project management and our effective partnership working with Places for People Leisure and their construction partners Pellikaan, means it will open on time and on budget.

“This project has always been about bringing first class leisure opportunities to the Wyre Forest in a sustainable way.

“The review of leisure provision in the district took place in 2011. It looked at all the options available including closing the centres, refurbishing what the authority already has and building a new centre.

“A new leisure centre was found to be the most effective way to save money and offer access to high quality facilities with a broad range of sports and physical activity for all residents into the future.

“We are confident the new centre will exceed all expectations and provide a hub of sporting and leisure activity for all residents of the district”.

The new £11.9 million state-of-the-art centre will include a six-lane 25m swimming pool, learner pool, dance studios, sports hall, climbing wall, fitness suite and small outdoor football pitches.

The six lane pool will be fully accessible for disabled people and has been specifically designed to provide easy access.  There will also be a poolside lifting platform for ambulant and disabled users.  The pool will also be deck level which provides convenient access.

A café with viewing facilities, a children’s play area, a health suite equipped with sauna and steam room and free parking will also be available.

Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre and Stourport Sports Centre will be closed from Saturday, July 2 - which will give the Places for People team time to complete their training and preparations at the new centre.

Stuart Booton, contract manager at the Glades, added: “We are really excited to be moving to the new centre soon. I’ve worked at the Glades since it opened and it and Stourport Sports Centre have been great venues for the district and served the community well, but now they are no longer viable to run.

“The new centre is going to be first class for leisure activities and we are looking forward to welcoming existing and new customers.

“Over the past few months we’ve been working with the Council to make sure the transfer to the new centre is as seamless as possible. We have managed to reduce the original 2 week transfer period to just 4 days.

“I would recommend anyone thinking of taking out membership to sign up now and beat the rush.”

Anyone wanting to sign up for memberships to the new leisure centre can do so at Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre or Stourport Sports Centre. They can also call the team on 0845 200 8668.

From Monday, May 23, people will also be able to go to the marketing suite next to the new leisure centre site to take our membership. An office is being set up on the new leisure centre car park in Silverwoods Way.

There will be limited opening of some of the facilities in the current centres during the final week – June 27 to July 1. The swimming pools will be used for swimming lessons and the swimming club only. The fitness suites, group exercise programmes and the sports hall will be available between 4.30pm and 10.30pm.

There will be no change at Bewdley Leisure Centre, which is remaining open as usual.