New Leisure Centre Battle Heats Up in City’s West
The hunt for a spanking new leisure centre to replace the ageing King Alfred is speeding ahead. Since late 2022, council chiefs have been scouring sites and chatting with locals, sports clubs, and users to find the perfect spot for a state-of-the-art facility.
Two Hot Contenders Emerge
Out of more than 20 locations checked across public and private land, just two have made the cut. One is the current King Alfred Leisure Centre site, while the other is near the Sainsbury’s car park, where Old Shoreham Road meets the A293.
Both sites tick boxes for location, size, accessibility, and are big enough to house top-notch amenities.
What’s on the Wish List?
- A 25-metre competition swimming pool
- Separate learner pool plus splash pad
- Sports hall
- Gym with cycling studio and group exercise zones
- On-site café
Buts it’s not a one-size-fits-all deal—each location brings different pros and cons, sparking unique proposals for each site.
Residents Have Their Say
Now it’s over to the city’s residents. An online questionnaire is live, inviting opinions on which site and plans they prefer.
“We want as many people as possible to share their views so we can pick the best spot for the new leisure centre,” said Council Leader Bella Sankey. “This is an exciting new chapter for the city, and we’re looking forward to making this dream a reality.”
The race is on to give the old King Alfred a fresh legacy with a brand new, world-class leisure hub in the west.
