Leisure centre unveils £2.4m new look with 'huge' extension and revamp
Kingfisher Leisure Centre's new facilities are unveiled in Sudbury. From left, Abbeycroft Leisure chief executive Warren Smyth, councillor Jan Osborne (on behalf of councillor Derek Davis), councillor Kathryn Grandon, Beardwell Construction managing director Duncan Clark and Abbeycroft Leisure development director Tracey Loynds - Credit: Simon Lee Photography
This is Sudbury's new look Kingfisher Leisure Centre - after a £2.4million revamp brought a "huge" new extension, with a fully refurbished gym and fitness studios.
Babergh District Council and Abbeycroft Leisure made the investment as part of a bid to modernise facilities and ensure they last long into the future.
Beardwell Construction has built a two-storey extension at the site, to house a new community and exercise room, as well improving changing facilities, lighting and decor.
The gym capacity has been increased by 40 stations, so it now boasts a total of 100, while cycle storage has been added to the front of the building.
£100,000 of funding also came from developers building new homes in Sudbury, as part of the Community Infrastructure Levy.
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Councillor Derek Davis, cabinet member for communities at Babergh District Council, said: “We’ve invested in the Kingfisher Leisure Centre, as part of our wider vision for Sudbury, to ensure we have the right facilities for Babergh’s residents to remain healthy and active for years to come.
“With work carried out in a phased approach, customers have been able to continue to enjoy their leisure activities throughout construction. I hope the enjoyment of getting active at the centre will continue for future generations.
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“Both these and the upgrades taking place at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure, are part of our continued commitment to ensuring our communities have healthy futures. I’d encourage everyone to get active safely and try out the new facilities for themselves.”
Tracey Loynds, development director for Abbeycroft Leisure, said: “This is a huge investment for us and for Sudbury, and it’s wonderful to see the community returning to enjoy the new facilities and get active once again following the most recent lockdown.
“Our customers have been amazingly patient while we’ve been working hard to bring the centre’s facilities up to date and improve the customer experience.
“We look forward to seeing more customers booking in to use the new equipment and space, with more information about everything you need to know before your visit on our website at www.acleisure.com/coronavirus/.”
The gym is currently being run at lower capacity to allow returning customers to exercise safely, with extra room for social distancing in line with Covid-19 guidelines.