Read our latest update on our plans for a new leisure centre in Farnborough town centre.
Update - November 2024
We have started to draw up new plans for Farnborough leisure centre, as the costings on our earlier scheme have increased so significantly from our original budget that they are no longer affordable for the council.
We have been considering alternative schemes over the summer that will deliver the new leisure centre and swimming pool but within our budgets.
We are also talking to the government about still being able to use the £20 million of Levelling Up funding towards the new leisure centre and the government has invited us to share our plans.
The government will need to agree the revised scheme before we press ahead with more detailed designs, but we will share our plans with you as soon as we can.
Keep me informed about the leisure centre
If you would like to be kept informed about our proposals and how you can get involved, please let us know.
Replacing the skatepark
The skatepark will stay open until we provide a replacement. We will be asking for input on those designs from skatepark users and the wider community.
Closure of the old leisure centre
The old Farnborough leisure centre was closed because of the pandemic.
In 2021, when lockdown ended, the cost of reopening the centre, along with increased payments to our contractor, came to more than £1 million. This meant we could not afford to reopen the centre without cutting other services.
Instead, we decided to press ahead with clearing the site in preparation for the new centre, while at the same time working with our partners and other organisations on what it should include, and making sure there was a sound business case for it.
Our original plan was to extend the scope of the centre to become a leisure and cultural hub and we successfully bid for £20 million from the government towards the scheme. This did not cover the full or increased costs though.
We also secured outline planning consent for the wider civic quarter site, of which the new centre will be a key part.
Alternative local leisure facilities
You will find details about alternative local leisure facilities and about our Aldershot Pools and Fitness Centre on our website. You will also find more local options on the Farnham Leisure Centre and Places Leisure Camberley websites.