Plan for leisure centre to replace swimming pool

A swimming centre could be demolished and replaced with a new sports and leisure facility.

A planning application has been submitted to Stevenage Borough Council, which owns the swimming centre site on the edge of the town centre.

The plans include a 25m, 10-lane competition swimming pool with seating for 150 spectators, a teaching pool, a splash pad, and sauna and steam rooms.

It would have a six-court sports hall, a fitness suite, multi-purpose studios, a spin studio, soft play and a café.

The proposed building is three or four storeys high with the main entrance facing the Town Centre Gardens.

There would be 53 parking spaces – a loss of 38 compared with the current provision – including accessible electric vehicle charging spaces.

It is expected to be open from 06:30 to 22:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 20:00 at weekends.

If approved, the new facility would be built on the existing car park to the south of the swimming centre.

The current facility, on St George's Way, would remain operational until the new one opened, as first reported by The Comet.

A statement submitted with the planning application says: "The [1960s] building has been subject to incremental refurbishment over the years, but is no longer fit for purpose and is in need of replacement."

Part of the funding would be from the government's Towns Fund, after Stevenage Development Board secured £37.5m towards the town's regeneration in 2021.

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