Plans for multi-million-pound leisure centre improvements move forward, as the George Campbell Leisure Centre swimming pool reopens

At the Fenland District Council Cabinet meeting on Monday (24 February), elected members agreed to push ahead with significant enhancement proposals for all four of the district's leisure centres - including work to pave the way for a swimming pool for Chatteris.

It comes as the swimming pool at the George Campbell Leisure Centre in March reopens following extensive repairs and improvements.

Cabinet members expressed a strong ambition to deliver a series of exciting projects across Fenland over the next three years.

Under the banner of 'Fenland Inspire!' the projects will focus on enhancing Fenland's much-loved sport, leisure, and open space facilities, as well as preserving and celebrating the district's rich heritage and built environment.

Council Leader, Cllr Chris Boden, said: "These investments reflect our commitment to improving the quality of life for our residents and ensuring that Fenland remains an attractive and vibrant place to live, work, and visit. From revitalising local leisure centres to restoring historic landmarks, we are determined to create lasting benefits for our communities while strengthening our local economy."

Among the leisure centre improvement proposals being considered by members are:

• A swimming pool at Chatteris Leisure Centre.
• Remodelling of reception and the old swimming pool changing rooms into a café space and advanced spin studio at the George Campbell Leisure Centre in March.
• Significant work at Whittlesey's Manor Leisure Centre including the demolition of the sports hall, with soft play and exercise classes relocated to an extended swimming pool building. In addition, an enhanced reception, changing facilities, cafe and kitchen, and the existing rifle range would be moved to the side of the facility and there would be the addition of three covered and floodlit padel tennis courts.
• At the Hudson Leisure Centre in Wisbech, consideration is being given to three covered floodlit padel tennis courts, adapting the multi-function space that is currently used for spinning into an assisted fitness and older persons health and wellbeing space, and converting unused space at the end of the current gym into activity rooms for boxfit, circuit training and spinning.

Meanwhile, the swimming pool at the George Campbell Leisure Centre in March reopened on February 25.

The pool had closed on December 16 for what was due to be two weeks, for routine maintenance to the filtration system.

However, during these works contractors discovered further significant repair and maintenance works were required to pipework underneath the pool, relating to the old outdoor swimming pool which closed in the 1980s.

While the repairs were being carried out, the Council took the opportunity to improve the pool further by completely relining it at the same time, with the total works costing around £167,000.  Additionally, Freedom Leisure has invested in replacing the swimming pool shower units with a completely new, water efficient, system.

The George Campbell, Hudson Leisure Centre in Wisbech and Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey, have also recently had new energy efficient boilers installed as part of an ongoing programme of upgrades to improve the energy efficiency and operation of all four leisure centres.

The ongoing upgrades are separate from the improvement works set out as part of 'Fenland Inspire!' campaign.

At Monday's meeting, Cllr Alex Miscandlon, Fenland District Council's Portfolio Holder for Leisure, said: "What we are trying to do is future proof all those centres so the people of Fenland have excellent facilities."

After the meeting, Ivan Horsfall Turner, Freedom Leisure CEO said: "Since 2018, when we were chosen to manage the leisure facilities in Fenland, we have enjoyed a very strong working relationship with Fenland District Council and we are excited to be involved is ensuring the 'Fenland Inspire!' campaign comes to life and look forward to working with our partner to make investment in the leisure facilities a huge success for the community in Fenland for many years to come."

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February 2025