Plans have been lodged to demolish an outdated Exeter sports centre to make way for a ‘transformational’ new leisure hub with café, studio and gym.
The £6million transformation of an outdated Exeter leisure centre has moved a step closer, writes local democracy reporter Guy Henderson.
The city council has applied to its own planning department for permission to go ahead with the project which was agreed by councillors back in March.
Its application is for the refurbishment of the existing Wonford Sports Centre and Community and Learning Centre, including the demolition of the existing gym, Phoenix Centre and outdoor changing rooms.
The new hub includes plans for football changing facilities, cafe area, studio and gym. Image: Exeter City Council.
The next stage will be the construction of a new hub and football changing facilities. A new ‘hub’ will accommodate a cafe area, changing facilities, studio and gym.
When the full city council discussed the project in March, Cllr Tony Wardle (Lab, Priory) told colleagues: “Something needs to be done. Without significant investment the building would have to close, and I don’t think anyone in the city wants that to happen.
“It’s a 1980s building that looks like an institution. The talking about it has been going on for years and the community has waited long enough.
“Let’s get on with it.”
The centre is hugely popular with its local community, with online reviewers praising staff for being exceptionally friendly, helpful and welcoming to beginners, especially during group activities such as pickleball.
Some active members say they have consistently used the gym and football pitches for decades, and locals say they value the cost-effective access which prevents them having to pay premium private gym rates.
The project will be partly paid for by developers building homes around the city who are required to hand over cash to improve facilities in the areas around their sites.
The planning application is expected to be decided by the end of the year. Image: Exeter City Council.
Sport England is also prepared to chip in to create the new ‘hub’ for Wonford, which has some of the poorest health figures in the city and lowest levels of physical activity.
Councillors have been told that the project must be completed by summer 2028 to qualify for the funding.
“It is transformational,” the council’s director for place Ian Collinson told members. “It’s about people, it’s about community, it’s about activity, sport and wellbeing.”
The planning application is likely to be decided by the end of the year.
