Burntwood Leisure Centre in £1m revamp plans

More than £1 million will be spent improving the centre in High Street centre – with work set to begin later this summer.

Operator Freedom Leisure is investing a total of £1.17m in the improvements, working in partnership with Lichfield District Council.

The improvement works will be delivered in three phases and work will start in July.

Phase one has already kicked off behind the scenes and features energy saving measures to make an estimated reduction in annual CO2 emissions of 392 tonnes.

The next phase will see improvements to the layout of the café and reception, including the introduction of a Freedom Café Costa coffee shop, along with the addition of a pool-side sauna.

Councillor Iain Eadie, Lichfield District Council’s cabinet member for leisure said: “A key part of our partnership with Freedom Leisure is working together to deliver great new state-of-the-art facilities at Burntwood Leisure Centre and we were really pleased to be able to help Freedom Leisure finance these improvements.

“Our strategic aim is to help more residents to be regularly active, as we know the benefits this can give in terms of a person's health and wellbeing.

“With an expanded gym, improved studios and new indoor cycle studio, we hope the improved facilities will encourage people who have never come to Burntwood Leisure Centre before, or not been in a while, to give it a try."

Phase three of the project includes upgrades to the fitness suite with a boosted gym floor size of approximately 60 per cent, along with new kit, a brand new indoor cycle studio and refurbished group exercise studio.

This phase will take place after the other improvements are completed, and it is hoped will be underway towards the end of the year.

Some disruption will be inevitable but the centre will remain open throughout.

Freedom Leisure has apologised for any inconvenience caused, and aims to maintain as many provisions and facilities as possible.

Geoff Beadle, Freedom Leisure area manager, added: “These improvements formed a key element of the bid process and we are delighted that plans have now been finalised and permission granted, allowing us to get started so soon after commencing operations.

"These refurbishments are to improve the facilities for all existing users but will hopefully also succeed in encouraging new users too, once they are aware of the new state-of-the-art facilities on their doorstep.

"The plans were specifically drawn-up in line with council plans for Lichfield District to be a place where people are healthy and active, so there will be something for everyone.”

For more information go to Burntwood Leisure Centre website at www.freedom-leisure.co.uk