Yesterday (Friday) at the request of Mr. Phil Hughes, I had a 2½ hour meeting in Whittlesey with him in respect of all the latest information regarding the proposed Manor Leisure Centre upgrading.
Naturally it would take a very long time to report everything but I’ll highlight the main topics, he brought with him the latest versions of the plans.
1/ There WILL now be an area designated for male and female only changing cubicles.
2/ The main ‘sports/community’ area, will accomodate 160 ‘covers’ for fuctions, this is not far from what the main building at present will accomodate at present. Dancing etc.
3/ The ‘Cafe’ area will be run by ‘Freedom Leisure’ in-house, they may ‘trial’ a dog area for those with their pooches…. Note ‘trial’.
4/ As requested all Access Changing area’s will have grab rails and enhanced lighting.
5/ There will be several area’s for those with disabilities and wheel-chair users.
6/ There will be a very modern [expensive] pool lift which will lower/raise even those in an adapted whell-chair.
7/ The whole roof will be removed and new roof with up-to-date thermal insulation.
8/ The whole ‘Plant Room’ will be re-equipped.
9/ Target date for start of works, late September 2026 – Target date for completion late December 2027 [subject to planning approval and funding].
10/ There has been dozens of modifications taken onboard, many from the public consultations which took place.
11/ The Sports exercise equipement will be moved over to the main building, whilst construction is being carried out, and this building will be the last to be demolished, the Food Bank remains until that time.
12/ FDC Cabinet meet this Monday to discuse the £2M Sports England funding.
Costing as Febrauary 2026 – these figures may well have changed….
Again this list was @ February 2026 and has slipped back in a couple of instances, this is not to say the targets may come forward, depending and many factors.
