Community trust-run Sheffield leisure centre to reopen to the public after million-pound renovation

A Sheffield leisure centre which has been completely redeveloped after being taken over by a community trust is to reopen its doors to the public next week.
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After two years in the planning and a lot of hard work, Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre’s major new million-pound extension is now complete and ready to welcome people back on Monday, September 14.

The centre was taken over by the community in 2013, after Sheffield International Venues (SIV) decided it could no longer operate the Moorland Drive facility.

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But thanks to the efforts of the non-profit trust which now runs it, the centre was saved, and as a result of the current redevelopment has now been substantially improved.

Stocksbridge Leisure Centre reopening leisure centre from next week. Front-Andy Clarke chief exec and Fay Howard trustee, Back Cathy Corker trustee, Alison Brelsford finance officer, Julie Martin office manager and Keith Gordon volunteer.Stocksbridge Leisure Centre reopening leisure centre from next week. Front-Andy Clarke chief exec and Fay Howard trustee, Back Cathy Corker trustee, Alison Brelsford finance officer, Julie Martin office manager and Keith Gordon volunteer.
Stocksbridge Leisure Centre reopening leisure centre from next week. Front-Andy Clarke chief exec and Fay Howard trustee, Back Cathy Corker trustee, Alison Brelsford finance officer, Julie Martin office manager and Keith Gordon volunteer.

These improvements include a new front entrance with wheelchair ramp access and wheelchair stairlifts and a café, a new pool, showers and toilets and a new reception, offices and meeting space.

With other improvements in the changing rooms, the redevelopment means that the leisure centre is completely accessible for wheelchair users from car park to poolside.

Trustee Fay Howard said they always felt the decision of SIV to close it in 2013 had been the wrong one, and that they were delighted to have been proved correct.

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She said: “SIV said it was losing £500,000 a year but we always felt that the people of Stocksbridge and Deepcar needed a leisure centre and that Thorncliffe was too far.

Stocksbridge Community Lesiure Centre: Cafe foyer.Stocksbridge Community Lesiure Centre: Cafe foyer.
Stocksbridge Community Lesiure Centre: Cafe foyer.

“We had no experience of running a leisure centre but what we did have was various skills – so we decided to do things incrementally as time passed.

“After we opened the big pool in 2016, the obvious next thing to do was to improve the building, particularly for people with mobility problems.”

Fay added that the centre is now fully Covid ready and will be operating a pre-booking system and reduced numbers when they reopen.

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This, she hopes, won’t dampen the enthusiasm the local community has shown towards the centre, which she says has been a massive part of its success.

Stocksbridge Community Lesiure Centre: New toilets and shower facilities.Stocksbridge Community Lesiure Centre: New toilets and shower facilities.
Stocksbridge Community Lesiure Centre: New toilets and shower facilities.

“The support we have got has been fantastic,” said Fay.

“We are all so involved in it that sometimes you have to stand back to realise everything we have achieved.”

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