Liverpool City Council is set to invest £30 million over five years to completely overhaul its network of leisure centres. The ambitious plan aims to transform ageing facilities into modern "wellbeing community hubs" to prevent potential closures and address health inequalities across the city.
Key Takeaways
- A £30 million, five-year investment plan has been approved to upgrade Liverpool's leisure centres.
- The strategy will convert traditional leisure sites into integrated "wellbeing community hubs."
- Council officials warned that without this investment, many centres face a serious risk of closure.
- Specific plans are advancing for the Park Road, Everton Park, and Peter Lloyd centres.
- The long-term goal is to make Liverpool the most active city in England by the year 2040.
A £30 Million Plan to Revitalise City Facilities
Liverpool City Council's cabinet is expected to approve a comprehensive strategy to modernise the city's public leisure services. The £30 million investment is designed to address significant challenges facing the current facilities, many of which are now outdated.
According to a council report, approximately 50% of Liverpool's leisure centres are more than 30 years old. These ageing buildings require substantial upgrades to meet modern standards and continue serving their communities effectively.
Officials have issued a stark warning that without this crucial investment, the centres "risk falling behind" and could face permanent closure. Such an outcome would disproportionately affect residents in disadvantaged areas who rely on these local services for health and fitness.
Addressing Health Inequalities
The council's strategy document highlights that the potential closure of these centres would remove vital support for "those who rely on them most, particularly people in disadvantaged areas who face the greatest health inequalities." The investment is seen as a direct measure to combat this issue.
The Vision for Community Wellbeing Hubs
The core of the new strategy is to move beyond the traditional concept of a leisure centre. The plan is to create a network of integrated "wellbeing community hubs" that offer a much broader range of services to residents.
While facilities like gyms, swimming pools, and sports halls will remain central, the updated centres will also serve as welcoming spaces for community engagement and health support.
"Our centres will evolve into integrated wellbeing hubs. This means they will still offer gyms, pools, and sports, but they will also become welcoming places where people can access health programmes, join community activities, and connect with wider support."
This transformation is a key part of the council's wider ambition to make Liverpool "the most active in England by 2040." The new hubs are intended to be more accessible and inclusive, encouraging more people to participate in physical and social activities.
Phased Investment and Modernisation Works
The £30 million fund will be allocated over a five-year period. An initial phase, running until 2030, will see more than £5 million spent on essential groundwork. This funding will cover feasibility studies, urgent modernisation works, and building the necessary capacity to deliver the wider transformation project.
This first stage is critical for preparing the sites for the larger-scale changes planned in the coming years. It ensures that immediate structural and safety needs are met while long-term plans are developed.
Key Investment Figures
- Total Investment: £30 million
- Timeline: Five years
- Initial Funding (by 2030): Over £5 million
- Affected Centres: About half are over 30 years old
Updates on Key Leisure Centre Projects
The council has also provided updates on several specific leisure centres where changes are already in motion. Discussions with potential new operators for some sites have been ongoing since December 2023.
Everton Park Lifestyles
For the Everton Park facility, the council is exploring a long-lease agreement with the St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust. This arrangement would see the Academy Trust take over the operation of the centre, with a key condition being that public access to the facilities is maintained for the local community.
Park Road Lifestyles
At the Park Road site, a more complex partnership is being developed. Plans are underway to create a multi-partner sports hub. A key element of this project involves a collaboration with the City of Liverpool Gymnastics Foundation to establish the site as a national centre of excellence for gymnastics.
Peter Lloyd Centre, Tuebrook
Work is also progressing at the Peter Lloyd centre in Tuebrook. According to the council, the majority of the swimming pool upgrades are now complete. The facility is on track for a full reopening to the public in early 2026, bringing a much-improved asset back into community use.
These individual projects are the first tangible steps in the city-wide strategy to secure the long-term future of Liverpool's public leisure facilities and improve the health and wellbeing of its residents for decades to come.