Work is continuing on the major redevelopment of the health and wellbeing centre at Brough Park in Leek, with a late summer 2026 opening now confirmed for the new MyActive Leek facility.
As building work progresses, recruitment has begun for the team who will operate the centre once it re opens. The project timetable has been shaped by a significant programme of electricity network upgrades in Leek, being delivered by National Grid Electricity Distribution to ensure the new centre’s future energy demands can be met.
Some preparatory electricity works have already taken place, with the main phase of the programme due to begin in January. This phase is expected to take around four months, followed by commissioning work at the leisure centre before it opens to the public.
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.”
The centre will be operated by MyActive, who manage the district’s leisure centres on behalf of the Council. Recruitment will soon begin for a General Manager, followed by a wider range of roles as the opening date approaches.
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 details about vacancies will be available at www.myactive.uk/careers.
Alongside the building works, the Council is leading improvements to the external areas of the site to encourage more informal outdoor activity. Plans include outdoor fitness equipment, an activity zone, seating areas, landscaping at the entrance, and new signage around the town to help people find the centre.
The external works will be carried out at the same time as the electricity upgrades so that the full redevelopment is completed together when the centre re opens.
This element of the project is being supported by Sport England National Lottery Funding, which has awarded £308,000 in addition to £1.8 million already being invested in the new centre. Other funding partners include the UK Government, the Council, and Salix, who are supporting decarbonisation measures.
Further information is available on the Council’s website.
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