We take a closer look at plans to transform East Riding Leisure Goole into the Goole Hub:

Q: What is East Riding Leisure Goole and who owns it?

Inside the new look Goole Hub

A: East Riding Leisure Goole is the town’s leisure centre. Located off North Street, it’s owned and run by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Q: How much Goole Town Deal funding has been allocated to East Riding Leisure Goole?

A: Goole Town Deal will contribute £3.372 million towards the proposed £17 million transformation of East Riding Leisure Goole into the Goole Hub. Built in 1988, the existing leisure centre is in need of investment to modernise it and ensure that it has plenty to offer local people of all ages and interests.

Q: What is East Riding of Yorkshire Council proposing to do with East Riding Leisure Goole?

A: The plan is to transform the existing leisure centre into the Goole Hub, a modern leisure hub, with a state-of-the-art gym and swimming pool, as well as the addition of a bowling alley and other exciting new facilities to attract new user groups. Goole Library and Customer Service Centre, both of which are owned and operated by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, will also relocate to the Hub, making it a busy hub at the heart of the community.

Q: What’s included in the proposals for the new-look Goole Hub?

A: After consulting with residents, customers, local sports clubs and organisations and other interested parties, many of the issues and ideas raised have now been included in updated proposals for the new-look Goole Hub. 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, with TAGActive – an indoor, obstacle course-style game that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike – and other play facilities at the rear.  The venue will also offer 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 new facility will benefit from a state-of-the-art six-lane, tenpin bowling alley, providing fun, excitement and enjoyment for the whole family. The proposals include space for a squash court, although there is currently no funding available for that facility.

Q: What happens next? 

A: The proposals are due to be submitted for planning approval by the council’s design partners on the project, Wilmott Dixon. If approved, work would start on site in January 2024 and be completed during the summer of 2025.

Q: Why has the Goole Town Deal Board decide to allocate a share of funding towards the project?

A: The Board sees each of the projects that have been allocated a share of the Goole Town Deal funding as individual pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that will come together to have a transformative effect on the town. They believe that the new-look Goole Hub will become an important ‘anchor’ destination, which, alongside the other seven Goole Town Deal-funded projects, will help to boost footfall in the town centre and enhance the local economy.

Q: Will leisure facilities and activities still be provided for leisure centre members and users while the work is carried out?

A: During the construction period and the closure of the leisure centre, the gym and group exercise classes will temporarily relocate to the Goole College site, subject to planning permission being granted. East Riding Leisure Goole’s core and corporate members will see reductions in their membership fees, details of which have been communicated to them. Those members who remain with East Riding Leisure during the closure period will continue to receive discounted membership for six months after the Goole Hub reopens. The leisure centre’s 14 resident clubs and groups will be offered advice and support, as well as funding to help them meet any relocation costs. In several cases, alternative locations have already been agreed for during the closure period. Other East Riding Leisure Centres, together with other leisure providers, have been approached to see if they can help by offering temporary facilities during the closure. School swimming lessons will be delivered through a condensed programme in 2023/24 and any school that can’t be accommodated has 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. General swimming will continue until the centre closes but, during the closure, the council will operate bus services from the centre to other local swimming provision. There will also be a programme of community activity to complement the group exercise programme and other activities offered from the temporary Goole College site.

Inside the new look Goole Hub