Plans to invest £17 million in East Riding Leisure Goole, transforming it in into a busy modern leisure hub at the heart of the community, are rapidly gathering pace.

A sum of £3.372 million is being contributed by Goole Town Deal and, subject to planning permission being granted, work is due to start on site in January.

Built in 1988, the existing leisure centre requires investment to modernise it and ensure it still has plenty to offer local people of all ages and interests. Once complete, the new-look Goole Hub will feature a state-of-the-art gym and swimming pool, as well as a six-lane bowling alley and other exciting new facilities to attract new user groups. Goole Library and Customer Service Centre will also relocate to the Hub.

After consulting with residents, customers, local sports clubs and organisations, and other interested parties, many of the issues and ideas raised have been included in the final set of proposals for the new-look venue. The Sports Hall will be retained and a Health Suite will be added, and there will be a more visible central core and café area. A new swimming pool for learners will be located at the front of the building, and at the rear there’ll be TAGActive – an indoor, obstacle course-style area that can be enjoyed by children aged eight years plus and adults alike. There will also be a new sensory area. On the first floor, the gym space will be re-designed and vastly improved, and there will be an enhanced fitness offer, with all fitness facilities located on the same floor. The first floor will also feature an attractive new atrium space. The proposals do include space for a squash court, although there is currently no funding available for that facility.

What will happen during the construction phase?

The venue will close to the public at 6pm on 17 December, 2023 in preparation for the start of construction work. During the closure period, the gym and group exercise classes will temporarily relocate to the Goole College site. East Riding Leisure Goole’s core and corporate members will have their membership fees reduced, details of which have been communicated to them. The leisure centre’s 14 resident clubs and groups have been offered advice, support and funding to help them temporarily relocate.

Swimming is available at other East Riding Leisure sites, but a bus service to Axholme Leisure Centre will operate three times a week during the closure to allow people to use the pool there. School swimming lessons will be delivered through a condensed programme in 2023/24 and any school that can’t be accommodated have been offered the option of relocating lessons to other East Riding leisure centres. A new school swimming programme will be created ahead of the Goole Hub’s reopening in 2025.