Long term investment in Wealden’s leisure centres supports summer visitor numbers

Wealden’s leisure centres have been busy since the start of the school summer holidays, with Uckfield, Hailsham and Crowborough leisure centres welcoming thousands of residents through the doors. The figures show how valued these facilities are in the district.

With the recent hot weather, swimming has been particularly popular, with 11,297 pool visits recorded.  Gyms, group exercise classes and children’s holiday activities have also proved popular.

Since the start of the school summer holidays, the three centres have recorded:

• A total of 24,799 visits
• 8,254 gym visits
• 4,676 group exercise class attendances
• An 8% increase in memberships compared with the same period last year
• More than 219 fitness classes delivered every week
• High attendance at children’s holiday activities

The figures demonstrate the important role Wealden’s leisure centres play in supporting health, wellbeing and social connection for people of all ages.

Wealden District Council and its leisure operator, Freedom Leisure, have continued to invest in the facilities to meet the needs of local communities.

At Uckfield Leisure Centre, a £300,000 refurbishment has delivered a new sports hall floor, fully refurbished gym, dedicated indoor cycling studio and improvements to the swimming pool area.

With a long-term lease secured at Uckfield Leisure Centre between East Sussex County Council and Wealden District Council, further investment has been secured through Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Funding, which has enabled the installation of solar PV helping to reduce operating costs and improve the centre’s sustainability.

Hailsham Leisure Centre has also benefited from £100,000 of investment from Freedom Leisure for swimming pool flume repairs and pool relining to safeguard the future of the pool, alongside Sport England funding for solar PV and swimming pool covers.

Improvements at Crowborough Leisure Centre include a new sports hall floor and the introduction of HYROX functional indoor fitness.

Wealden District Council continues to work with Freedom Leisure and partners to develop new opportunities for residents. These include an NHS pilot rehabilitation programme in partnership with Uckfield Community Hospital.

Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Public Health and Asset Management, said, “It is fantastic to see our leisure centres so busy over the summer, with thousands of residents using the facilities and taking part in activities. The figures show just how important these facilities are to residents.

“The continued investment in our facilities and the range of activities on offer means we can provide welcoming, accessible spaces that support the health and wellbeing of our residents.”

Looking ahead, the centres will continue to offer a wide range of activities, including swimming lessons, fitness classes, junior programmes and specialist health initiatives. These include a new cancer rehabilitation programme at Hailsham Leisure Centre and the introduction of Stronger for Life sessions in Uckfield from September, delivered in partnership with the NHS and Active Sussex.

Ivan Horsfall Turner, Freedom Leisure, CEO, said, “We’re incredibly proud of our 25-year partnership in Wealden and of the role these centres play at the heart of their communities. The strong attendance this summer reflects the quality and range of opportunities available and the continued investment in the centres. Our purpose at Freedom Leisure is Improving Lives Through Leisure and we remain committed to working with Wealden District Council to help more people be active, healthy and connected, while continuing our work across East Sussex and beyond.”

Residents can find out more about activities, memberships and opening times at Uckfield, Hailsham and Crowborough leisure centres through Freedom Leisure.