Late summer opening for new Leek leisure centre

As building work on the major redevelopment of the health and wellbeing centre in Brough Park progresses, recruitment is underway for the team that will run it when it re-opens next year.

The centre, which will operate as MyActive Leek, will open in late summer 2026 following an extensive programme of work to upgrade the electricity network in Leek by National Grid to ensure the energy demands of the new centre are met.

Some of the work to upgrade the current electricity infrastructure has already taken place and the biggest element of the programme will start in January. The electricity works are expected to take around four months to complete and will be followed by commissioning work at the leisure centre.

Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, Cabinet member for Leisure and Tourism, said: "We're pressing ahead with the internal and external redevelopment of the centre and recruiting the team that will run it when it re-opens in full in the summer.

"Whilst the extensive re-development the Council is leading will be completed as planned, the electricity upgrade does mean the unfortunate but unavoidable delay to the re-opening date.

"The work to upgrade the electricity network in Leek is necessary to future-proof services in the town as well as ensuring the power requirements at the leisure centre are met. We're working closely with both National Grid and the highways team at the County Council to deliver this big project in as timely a way as possible."

Matt Wood, Head of Operations at National Grid Electricity Distribution's Stoke depot, said: "We're proud to be upgrading Leek's electricity network to support this exciting development. By strengthening and modernising local infrastructure, this investment will bolster the town's electricity network so that it can meet growing demand.

"These improvements will ensure the new leisure centre, and the wider community, benefit from a resilient, reliable power supply for years to come, helping attract investment, create jobs, and support economic growth across Staffordshire."

Patrick Allen, Cabinet Support Member for Highways at Staffordshire County Council, said: "The new leisure centre development in Leek will be a real asset for the town and local residents and it's good to see work progressing.

"The installation of the required utilities is the responsibility of the developer and utility companies and we will be looking to work collaboratively with them on any highway work where possible to keep disruption to a minimum."

MyActive, who operate and manage the District's leisure centres on behalf of the Council, will soon be advertising for a General Manager for the centre.

Managing Director Rob Wilks said: "It's exciting to have reached the point where recruiting the team that will have the privilege of operating this fantastic community facility will start. This begins with appointing a general manager, followed by a range of other roles as we get closer to the opening date.

"It goes without saying that we will be looking for people who can lead with purpose and deliver life changing experiences which have people and community impact at the heart."

Further information regarding this and other vacancies will be available at www.myactive.uk/careers

The Council is leading the project to expand and modernise the new centre and to develop the external area to encourage people to be active outdoors in a less formal setting by providing outdoor fitness equipment, an activity zone and areas to sit, catch up with friends, or relax with refreshments from the new facility.

Work on the external project, which also includes landscaping the entrance to the centre, and new signage around the town to signpost people to the centre, will take place at the same time as the electricity works so all elements of the redevelopment will be finished when the centre re-opens.

This aspect of the project is being funded by Sport England National Lottery Funding who have provided the Council with £308,000 of funding in addition to the £1.8 million they are investing in the new centre.

Other funders of the new health and wellbeing centre are the UK Government, the Council, and Salix who are helping to fund the decarbonisation measures.

Find out more on the Council's website.

Published on 18 December 2025