PFI New Leaf leisure centres

The council is currently developing two new leisure centres, at Morley and Armley. This page has been developed to keep you up to date with the progress of the project.

Latest news
What is the New Leaf PFI project?
How to have your say
Plans and drawings
Views and opinions
Aiming for higher standards
Any questions?

Armley leisure centre

Armley leisure centre to close as building work enters final stage
On Saturday 18 July the existing Armley leisure centre will close and building work on the brand-new purpose-built leisure centre will enter its final stage.

During the closure alternative classes and sessions are available at near-by leisure centres so that you are able to continue your exercise regime and training schedules.

For more information please see the Armley relocation leaflet available to download in PDF format from the right hand side of this page.

The new leisure centre at Armley will include:

25m pool
learner pool
hydrotherapy pool
2 court sports hall
4 court sports hall
studio
Bodyline gym
atrium / catering area
multi use games area

smeaton image

Download: Artist's impression of the new site at Armley

The contractor, Interserve, moved on to the site in August 2008, and a ‘turning the sod’ celebration, attended by working group members, local children and ward members was held.

Link: Press release - October 2008 Armley leisure centre building site

Armley site: March 2009

Work on erecting the new building commenced in January 2009, with the new centre planned to open in April / May 2010.

Unfortunately, the old leisure centre will have to close in July 2009 to allow for the new building to be completed. The centre staff will be working with the users to find alternative accommodation during this time, and hope to keep disruption to a minimum.

Morley Leisure Centre
Morley leisure centre closed on 7th July 2008 to allow for the new leisure centre to be built on the same site. Arrangements have been made for users during the period of closure. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Download: Morley relocation leaflet
Download: Morley relocation poster

The new centre will provide:

25m pool
learner pool
6 court sports hall
4 court sports hall
studio
Bodyline gym
multipurpose hall
atrium / catering area

Download: Artist's impression of the new site at Morley

Morley leisure centre building site

Morley site: March 2009

Morley Leisure Centre is due to re-open in July 2010.

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What is the New Leaf PFI project?
The Council successfully bid for £30m of Government Private Finance Initiative credits (PFI) to build two new leisure centres.

The schedule saw construction starting in 2008, following extensive planning and consultation. New centres will open in 2010.

The areas in the city to be developed are Morley and Armley. These areas were chosen following an extensive options appraisal by the council.

Consultation with the Leeds Primary Care Trust (PCT), Education Leeds, Social Services, user groups at the current sites, schools, facility managers and sports development officers has developed the proposed facility mix for each site.

The new centres will form Community Sports Hubs, working with schools, PCT, Social Services, the extended schools programme and the local community to improve general health and well being for local people.

The council will continue consulting with the public at all stages of the project.

Working Groups
A number of groups in the local community have a special interest in the centres and representatives were invited to join a working group with council officers to look at issues relevant to each site.

Link: Working group minutes and discussion papers

Displays in the leisure centres
We will provide updated information in the main reception area at the centres along with comment cards for you to use.

This website
We will update this website with information from the project and feedback from the consultation process. You can also email your questions or comments to newleaf@leeds.gov.uk

The design plans for the new Armley and Morley leisure centres were produced by the architects taking into account all the responses from the public as well as the feedback from the working groups, stakeholders and Leeds City Council officers.

Apart from the artists’ impressions of how the outside of the centres will look, there are also internal images taken from similar projects, such as Killingworth leisure centre in Newcastle.

We would like you to look at the plans and tell us what you think. Your views are very important in helping us provide the best new leisure centre we can, so please take a moment to have a look at the design.

You can then give us your thoughts or any questions you may have by contacting Helen Evans, Sport PFI Manager, on 0113 2243184 or e-mail newleaf@leeds.gov.uk

Download: Proposed outline plans for Armley and Morley new leaf leisure centres

We believe that it’s important for everyone to see the wide range of views and opinions about this project and to understand some of the planning, technical and environmental issues too. In this section we will provide summaries of feedback from the consultation process, and other information which will help you understand how decisions on the project are reached.

Working Groups.
The minutes are available to download in PDF format from the right hand side of this page.

The council has recently completed a £5m project to improve John Smeaton leisure centre, with funding from the Big Lottery Fund. We have raised standards throughout the building improving access, creating better changing areas and providing more space to relax. These are the standards we shall be aiming for with the New Leaf PFI centres, so have a look at the John Smeaton pictures below to see what should be in store.