Leisure centre to get expanded fitness facilities

Plans to renovate a leisure centre to expand its fitness facilities have been approved by the council.

Improvements will go ahead at Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre in Biggleswade as Central Bedfordshire Council noted increased competition with new commercial gym facilities arriving in the town.

The authority said the upgrades would make better use of the building's existing footprint, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Works will be phased to reduce disruption and are expected to be completed during 2027.

The improvements include an expanded fitness suite, larger reformer Pilates studios, a bigger café area and redesigned reception to improve accessibility.

Independent Biggleswade West councillor Steve Watkins told the council's executive on Tuesday: "It's now a fairly dated 1980s leisure centre, so this is a very welcome investment."

The council's Biggleswade joint committee will ask officers to consider more strategic issues about the site's future in due course.

With a PureGym due to open in the town in September, independent councillor Hayley Whitaker said the council-run centre should retain a distinct community role, especially for residents who cannot use commercial gyms.

During last week's Biggleswade joint committee meeting, she said she felt it was a "massive shame" the centre would lose its creche space.

"I still can't get over the one point of difference from which Saxon Leisure benefited was its creche facility for residents," she said.

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