£30m Investment Planned to Revamp Ageing Leisure Centres

Liverpool Leisure Centres Set for £30m Transformation to Boost Community Wellbeing

Liverpool City Council has warned that many of the city’s ageing leisure centres could face closure without significant investment — prompting a £30 million plan to revitalise facilities and promote healthier lifestyles.

The initiative forms part of the council’s ambition to make Liverpool “the most active city in England by 2040.” Under the new strategy, existing leisure sites will be modernised and reimagined as “wellbeing community hubs” — offering not just gyms and swimming pools, but also health programmes, social activities, and wider community support.

Council cabinet members are expected to approve the five-year investment programme later this month, paving the way for major improvements across the city’s network of sports and leisure centres.

According to the strategy, nearly half of Liverpool’s leisure facilities are over 30 years old and in urgent need of upgrades. Officials warned that without action, some centres could close — particularly those serving disadvantaged areas, where access to affordable health and fitness options is most critical.

“This strategy presents an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine leisure for the future,” the report stated.

By 2030, the council expects to spend more than £5 million on feasibility studies, essential maintenance, and capacity building to support the wider transformation programme.

Under the new vision, each site will evolve into an integrated wellbeing hub — maintaining traditional sports and fitness amenities while also providing access to health services and community activities.

Progress Already Under Way

The council recently shared updates on several facilities. At Everton Park, discussions are ongoing with the St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust about a potential long-lease arrangement that would allow the trust to operate the centre while maintaining public access.

Meanwhile, the Park Road site could be developed into a multi-partner sports hub, including a national centre of excellence for gymnastics in partnership with the City of Liverpool Gymnastics Foundation.

Elsewhere, upgrades to the Peter Lloyd Centre in Tuebrook are nearing completion, with most of the pool works finished. The pool is scheduled to reopen in early 2026.

The council said the £30m overhaul marks a major step toward delivering modern, accessible leisure spaces that serve as cornerstones of health and wellbeing across the city.