What Is The £40 Million Investment Plan For Active North Yorkshire?

Getting out and being active is a huge part of feeling good, but sometimes the local sports centre or pool can feel a bit, well, tired. The good news for people in North Yorkshire is that a massive change could be on the horizon. A huge £40 million investment plan has been put together by Active North Yorkshire, with the simple goal of getting more people moving and enjoying themselves. This exciting proposal goes in front of local decision-makers on 4 November, and if it gets the green light, it could completely transform local leisure facilities for everyone.

A massive cash injection for local leisure

So, what does £40 million actually buy? It's a huge amount of money, and the plan is to spend it wisely to give local leisure services a serious upgrade. The idea behind this investment isn't just about shiny new machines; it's about creating welcoming spaces that offer brilliant opportunities for people of all ages to improve their physical and mental health. This isn't just a lick of paint. It's a complete rethink of how these community hubs can better serve the people of North Yorkshire.

The bulk of the money, a whopping £36 million, is earmarked for four specific sites. First up on the list are Selby and Skipton. Then, a bit later down the line in 2027, the centres in Pickering and Whitby will also get their turn. These two are currently run by a company called Everyone Active, but they'll become part of the Active North Yorkshire family. This major investment shows a real commitment to making these places top-notch. Imagine walking into your local centre and finding a brighter, more modern space designed to make you want to stay longer and come back more often.

What's getting a makeover?

This isn't just about a few new treadmills. The plan is much bigger. The investment is set to deliver some amazing improvements that will make a real difference to everyone who uses the facilities. Here's a quick look at what's on the cards:

• Better Gym Facilities: Health clubs and gyms will be improved, meaning more space and better equipment to help people achieve their fitness goals.
• More Studio Space: Extra studios mean more classes. Think yoga, pilates, HIIT, or dance sessions. More choice for more people.
• Upgraded Swimming Pools: The pools will get an overhaul, including adding accessible features so that everyone, regardless of mobility, can enjoy a swim.
• Improved Public Areas: It's not just about the workout areas. The spaces around the buildings will also be made nicer, creating a better overall experience from the moment you arrive.

And it doesn't stop with those four main sites. Another £3 million is set aside for a phased programme to upgrade gym and fitness equipment across twelve other Active North Yorkshire sites. This means more communities will benefit from this huge push to get people active. It's all about creating more opportunities for people to get involved.

The bigger picture for North Yorkshire's health

Why such a big spend? Because being active is about more than just physical fitness; it's brilliant for your mental health, too. Having accessible, modern, and fun places to exercise can make a huge difference in people's lives. The councillors who will review the proposal understand how important this is for the whole community. It's a chance to build happier, healthier towns across the region.

Executive member for culture, arts and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, really summed it up. He says: "There has been a great deal of work on these proposals to make sure that we can provide our leisure services as effectively as possible through the new Active North Yorkshire banner."

He adds: "The proposed investment is set to represent a real watershed moment for us. It shows the commitment we have to make sure everyone in North Yorkshire has the best opportunities possible to stay active or take up exercise to help promote both physical and mental health and wellbeing." It's clear this is a passion project for everyone involved, with a real focus on the long-term benefits for local people.

Making it all happen: the plan behind the plan

A plan this big doesn't just appear out of thin air. A lot of careful work has gone into it. Experts like SLC, alongside the DB3 Group and Press and Starky, were brought in to develop the investment strategy. What does that mean? Basically, they did the homework. Phase one involved looking at all 23 existing leisure facilities to see what was working and what wasn't. Phase two was where the fun started: they worked on design ideas, figured out the costs, and built a solid business case for the investment in each location.

A strong business case is essential to show the councillors that this proposal isn't just a wish list, but a sensible plan that will deliver real value. This detailed work ensures the £40 million investment will have the biggest possible impact. And, of course, running these upgraded centres will create new job opportunities. You need a whole team of skilled people to make leisure facilities brilliant. This could range from a Membership Sales Manager, perhaps with experience from a busy university gym in Coventry, to a Duty Manager who might have learned their trade at a community pool in Formby, near Liverpool. And behind the scenes, you need experts in things like health and safety, a role that might involve nationwide travel to ensure every one of the new gym facilities is up to scratch. It's a team effort that draws on talent from all over. The ultimate aim of this entire proposal is to create amazing, safe, and motivating leisure facilities for the people of North Yorkshire.