St Mary’s Leisure and Community Centre closed on March 31 to undergo essential repair works worth £2.5 million. The upgrades include improvements to accessible toilets, lighting, and electrical systems in various areas of the venue. In addition, external work will be carried out on the roofs, fire escape routes and exits will be repaired, and the heating and cooling systems will be upgraded.
Southampton City Council has confirmed that these works are currently underway, with the centre expected to reopen in early 2026. This is a revision from the initial report, which stated the centre was due to reopen by the end of this year.
A council spokesperson said:
“These essential works will be carried out so that the venue can operate under a new provider as a venue that the local community can use and enjoy for a wide range of activities for many years to come.”
Once the renovation is complete, management of the centre will be handed over to the non-profit organisation Testlands. The building itself will remain owned by Southampton City Council.
Testlands, a Southampton-based non-profit, was appointed in June following years of uncertainty over the centre’s future. The leisure centre had faced potential closure before the current Labour administration came into power.
Councillor Lorna Fielker, former leader of Southampton City Council, commented at the time:
“St Marys Community and Leisure Centre is a cornerstone of the community. It has a vital role to play in supporting the health and wellbeing of residents by offering a range of leisure, wellness and community facilities.”
Testlands delivers education, sport, and wellbeing programmes across the Hampshire area. The organisation plans to introduce new initiatives at St Mary’s, focusing on mental health, social inclusion, and life skills development.
Luke Newman, co-founder of Testlands, said:
“At Testlands, our mission is to create and enhance spaces, services, and opportunities that remove barriers to wellbeing. We work to empower communities in Southampton to thrive. Taking on the management of St Marys Community and Leisure Centre is an exciting step in that journey.”
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25499751.st-marys-leisure-centre-reopening-delayed-amid-2-5m-work/?ref=rss
