MyActive Leek opens following £17m transformation of former leisure centre
The doors have officially opened to MyActive Leek, marking the completion of a major £17 million redevelopment project delivered for Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.
Formerly known as Brough Park Leisure Centre, the transformed facility has been officially unveiled following an extensive redevelopment programme that forms part of the wider Levelling Up regeneration of Leek town centre. Created to support healthier lifestyles, improve accessibility and deliver long-term community value, the new centre significantly expands the town’s health, wellbeing and leisure provision.
The project has been funded by £10 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, alongside over £3 million from the council. Sport England has also contributed £1.8 million plus an extra £300K from its Active Environment Budget used to transform external spaces, creating new outdoor play, outdoor fitness, pétanque courts. A further £1.1 million has been secured via the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The investment has transformed the former facility into a modern, energy efficient health and wellbeing hub tailored to the evolving needs of the local community
Among the centre’s most innovative additions is a new multipurpose activity and entertainment space centred around a state-of-the-art golf simulator. The space has been developed by Alliance Leisure to attract new audiences while providing a flexible community venue capable of hosting sensory sessions, film screenings, interactive games, parties and corporate activities.
The new facility broadens the centre’s appeal to a wider demographic, including families, young people, older adults and individuals with additional needs. Importantly, it also addresses a gap in local provision, with no comparable leisure-based golf simulator facilities currently operating in the area.
Alongside the new entertainment space, the upgraded centre features a new 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool alongside a separate teaching pool, a 60-station gym, a group cycling studio, a second fitness studio and a Future Studio immersive fitness installation delivering immersive workout experiences.
A new Community Wellness Suite, featuring an EGYM Strength Series circuit, has also been introduced to support exercise referral programmes and tailored physical activity interventions for people living with long-term health conditions or requiring additional support to become more active.
The family offer has been significantly enhanced through the addition of a large indoor adventure soft play area, dedicated party facilities and fully accessible changing provision, including a Changing Places facility.
Sustainability has also been central to the redevelopment. The project has converted the centre into an all-electric facility, replacing gas boilers with air source heat pumps and introducing energy-saving measures including LED lighting throughout, improved building fabric and rooftop solar panels capable of generating approximately 42kW of renewable energy. Together, the improvements will significantly reduce the building’s long-term carbon emissions and operational energy consumption.
Will Gardner, Assistant Regional Director at Alliance Leisure, says: “The opening of MyActive Leek is a hugely significant moment for the local community and a fantastic example of what can be achieved through strong collaboration and long-term investment in public leisure infrastructure.
“This development has completely transformed the former facility into a modern, inclusive and highly sustainable community wellbeing hub that will support residents of all ages and abilities. From the expanded swimming and fitness offer to the innovative golf simulator and wellness facilities, every aspect of the centre has been carefully considered to encourage more people to be active, improve wellbeing and create lasting community impact.”
Speller Metcalfe was appointed as lead contractor to deliver the redevelopment for Alliance Leisure, who delivered the project on behalf of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council through the UK Leisure Framework, owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd. The wider project team included architect Roberts Limbrick, with Abacus providing project and cost management alongside the principal designer role.
Rob Lashford, divisional director at Speller Metcalfe, adds: “It’s fantastic to see MyActive Leek officially open and ready to serve the community. Working with Alliance Leisure on behalf of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, we’re proud to have delivered the construction of a facility that will make a real difference to local people for years to come. The transformation of the former leisure centre is remarkable and reflects the significant investment being made in Leek and its future.
Building on our strong relationship with Alliance Leisure, and following our work together on projects including Leek Market Hall and the ongoing Nicholson Institute redevelopment, we’re delighted to have played our part in delivering another landmark project for the town.”
Alliance Leisure also supported Staffordshire Moorlands District Council with the creation and rollout of the new MyActive brand, which has been introduced across its leisure facilities. The new identity supports the refreshed offer at MyActive Leek, alongside a programme of marketing and community engagement to raise awareness of the new facilities and encourage local residents to make use of them.
Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, says: “Working with Alliance Leisure and drawing on the team’s extensive leisure development expertise, we have created a facility that truly reflects the needs of the community whilst also establishing a sustainable commercial model capable of generating income across multiple revenue streams.
“The energy-saving improvements also support the council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, while the opening of MyActive Leek represents another major milestone in the ongoing regeneration of Leek town centre. It’s a game-changer in terms of leisure and sporting facilities supporting the health and wellbeing of the community and we are absolutely delighted that people across the Moorlands can now come and enjoy their fantastic new centre.”
Chris Kent from Roberts Limbrick architects comments: “MyActive Leek reflects a strong and successful collaboration between our sport and leisure, landscape and interiors teams, working alongside the council, Alliance Leisure and Sport England. This coordinated approach created a welcoming, much improved and inclusive facility with a consistent identity, supported by bespoke brand guidelines and interior fitout. The enhanced external space has been shaped by Sport England’s Active Environments initiative, with the landscape encouraging activity, play and social connection for people of all ages.”
