Bury Leisure Centre upgrades to begin in November

14 Oct 2025

Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre is set to undergo key improvements, including new water play features, updated changing facilities and complete decarbonisation of the site.

Works at the centre are expected to start in the week beginning 11 November 2025 and will be completed in phases to minimise disruption to users of the centre.

West Suffolk Council has been successful in securing a decarbonisation grant that enables the leisure centre to replace gas plant with heat pumps. 

The proposed enhancements to the leisure centre, combined with the decarbonisation works, will improve the facilities and services to better meet the needs of the community.

West Suffolk Council and Abbeycroft, who manage the centre, joined forces to conduct an extensive consultation in the summer of 2024 to gather valuable insights into what enhancements matter most for residents and centre users.

The top priorities identified included modernising the wet-side changing rooms, upgrading the pool halls, as well as adding water play features in the children’s leisure pool while retaining the popular flumes. 

While the proposed upgrades were broadly welcomed, respondents voiced preferences for minimising disruption by phasing the work appropriately during the refurbishment. 

West Suffolk Council and Abbeycroft have worked together with Alliance Leisure, specialist leisure development partner, to design the refurbishment works to reflect the consultation responses and bring this project to fruition.

To avoid closing the centre, the works are being conducted in three phases:

• phase one, November 2025 – March 2026: fitness suite, spin studio and health suite;
   
• phase two, March 2026 – May 2026: main pool, learner pool, leisure pool, wet side changing rooms and showers and sports hall;
   
• phase three, May 2026 – October 2026: entrance, café, soft play, accessible change and wellness centre.
   

The first phase will begin in the week of 11 November includes the installation of a new dedicated Spin Studio. Additionally, the existing Fitness Suite will be redecorated and new equipment installed, including the enhancement of the E-gym offering modern smart fitness technology. 

During this time the gym will move into the sports hall to enable people to continue to have access to the equipment. Spin classes continue in the current location.

Also included in the first phase is work to the existing health suite, which will be refurbished with a modern sauna, steam room and new solarium facilities. The room finishes will be enhanced to create a more natural tone, creating a light and relaxing environment. The health suite will be closed to enable these works to take place.

If you have a block booking in this area, the team will be in touch to share how your booking will be managed or where we have found an alternative location during this work.   

As the works progress, the council and Abbeycroft will keep residents and centre users updated via their website, social media pages and app.

Abbeycroft will also contact members directly to explain how their memberships will be managed during each phase of the project. If you have any questions in advance of this communication, please take a look at the Frequently Asked questions on their website here.

Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure at West Suffolk Council, said: “I am delighted to announce that the refurbishment work is beginning on the leisure centre this November. 

“This is a well-needed upgrade and enhancement, which has been designed to reflect the needs of our residents and communities, ensuring they are the best fit to enable our community to thrive. 

“Careful consideration has been given to how the works will be completed, and the phased approach means the community can continue to access services that benefit their health and wellbeing.”

Tracey Loynds, Operations Director at Abbeycroft, said: “We’re really excited to see these improvements get underway — they represent a major investment in the future of health and wellbeing for our community. While we anticipate some disruption along the way, we’re doing everything possible to minimise it and ensure that our customers can continue to enjoy the facilities they value. Our goal has always been to provide opportunities for everyone to be more active and live healthier, happier lives, and this refurbishment will help us do just that for years to come.”

Ruth Ripsher, Delivery Manager at Alliance Leisure, said: “We are proud to be overseeing the transformation of Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre for West Suffolk Council and Abbeycroft. A lot of careful work has taken place to ensure that the new centre fits the local community’s unique requirements, and we know that residents will be thrilled with their new facility as a result. What’s more, the site’s decarbonisation ensures that the facility benefits both people and the planet, making the revitalised leisure centre a true asset to the community.”

The project was procured using the UK Leisure Framework, owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd.

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