Council agrees to lease Kidsgrove Sports Centre to community group

One of the last remaining milestones has been reached in the heavily anticipated reopening of a refurbished sports centre in the north of the borough.

The Council has signed an agreement to enter into a 25-year lease with Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group, a registered charity, enabling it to operate a new and improved leisure service from the existing building once a major renovation programme is complete. It’s the final piece of the jigsaw in the centre’s redevelopment.

Ownership of the property has transferred to the Council as part of concerted efforts to provide high quality health and fitness facilities for residents in the town, under a community management model, following the closure of the old and tired sports centre in June 2017.

The latest development comes as a £7.5 million transformation – financed by the Council in addition to some funding from Kidsgrove’s advanced Town Deal – gathers pace ahead of a planned unveiling in spring 2022.

Construction works, carried out by contractor Willmott Dixon, include a new 25m, six lane swimming pool; reception area, sports hall, enlarged gym, dance studio, spin studio and physio room as well as updated changing areas. The major upgrade incorporates aspects such as modern flooring, heating, lighting and ventilation.

Meanwhile, the community group has recently secured £9,720 from the National Lottery Community Fund to create a community hub and café, providing free Wi-Fi and tablets on-site, helping to tackle digital and social exclusion. In addition the project has also secured support and funding from Sport England, Cricket Staffordshire and The Football Foundation towards this much-needed community asset.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “The Council’s agreement to enter into a long-term lease with Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group is another major milestone. This has been a complex project, with many hurdles to overcome, but with a great deal of hard work and determination from both sides, I’m delighted to say that the reopening of a new and significantly improved sports centre is just around the corner.

“I know residents can’t wait to see the facility open again and neither can I. It’s going to make such a difference to people’s lives.

 “One of the Council’s priorities is to create a healthy and active borough by providing access to a wide range of facilities and activities, helping residents of all ages to improve their health and quality of life. There has been health inequalities in Kidsgrove but that is changing, not only with the reopening of the sports centre but with several other linked projects also funded by the Council and advanced Town Deal.”

Kidsgrove Sports Centre is part of a “sports village” concept – developed by the Council with input from the Kidsgrove Town Deal Board – complementing premium community sports facilities at the adjacent King’s CE Academy and nearby Clough Hall Park which are also receiving major contributions from the Town Deal to improve health outcomes, boost jobs and grow local economies. This is in addition to the new, state-of-the-art pump track at Newchapel recreation ground.

Mark Clews, chair of Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to conclude and agree a long term lease for Kidsgrove Sports Centre, which firmly now places ownership of the centre at the heart of the community. I would like to thank the Council for the way they have worked constructively to conclude this process alongside the support they have provided throughout.

“We fully understand the importance of Kidsgrove Sports Centre and its impact on improving physical, social and mental well-being. This is why we are delighted that the fully refurbished sports centre will provide affordable facilities accessible for all.”

For more information, visit the community group’s new website at www.kidsgrovesportscentre.co.uk. You can also follow them on Twitter (@kidsgrovesport) and Facebook (@kidsgrovesports).

Last updated 18 January 2022