South Derbyshire District Council is moving forward with plans for a new leisure centre and headquarters on a former mining site in Swadlincote
They’re planning to approve the budget soon. The council has been discussing this for a while, mostly behind closed doors. Only one public update happened last December.
The new centre will replace the old council HQ and the Green Bank Leisure Centre. Both of those buildings will be torn down, making way for something fresh and new.
They hope to finish the new facility by Spring 2028. Don’t worry, the current buildings won’t close until the new one is ready. They’ll have a plan for what to do with the old site by then.
The new centre will be located near Coronation Park and the Swadlincote Family Golf Centre. There will be plenty of parking, too. The council has also bought some extra land for future projects.
Back in 2020, a masterplan included plans for offices, a gym, and even a pub. The council’s chief executive, Dr. Justin Ives, mentioned they got this land through a swap with Harworth.
They traded some council land for this new site, which is now a key part of the housing plan. The council recently approved 150 homes on the swapped land, which wasn’t part of the original plan.
Dr. Ives reassured everyone that the land deal was straightforward. He emphasized that the old HQ is outdated and doesn’t fit modern work needs.
He believes the new leisure centre will meet the community’s growing needs. The Cadley site is a great spot for development, and they’re excited about the future.
Tracy Bingham, the council’s executive director, said the new centre will be much better. It will have a big swimming pool and facilities for everyone, including those with disabilities.
They’re also planning to improve bus routes to the new site. The council is looking for funding from reserves and grants, so they’re not relying on selling the old buildings.
More details will come out soon, and a planning application will follow. Stay tuned for updates!
