Work begins on new Clay Cross Active leisure centre

Councillors and partners digging shovel into the ground on Clay Cross Active site

Work has begun on site at Sharley Park Leisure Centre as residents begin to see changes as the £24m transformation into North East Derbyshire District Council’s new Clay Cross Active leisure hub gets underway.

The new low carbon, low energy leisure centre, Clay Cross Active, will be a community hub, supported by Sport England, combining Clay Cross Clinic and Citizens Advice with leisure facilities. These facilities include a large gym, swimming pools, TAG Active, café, studio space and other activities.

Works have started on site and the first major change is the cordoning off some of the car park to the rear of the facility to enable site cabins and demolition works to be undertaken.

Construction is due to last approximately 24 months and during most of this period, Sharley Park Leisure Centre will remain partially open with visitors still being able to use its fitness suite and pools, however the squash courts and sports hall are now closed for the new build.

You can still attend our fitness classes which are now split between Sharley Park Leisure Centre, The Bret Club, Holmgate Community Centre, Pilsley Village Hall and Coney Green Business Centre.

“We’re thrilled to start works on the ground of the new Clay Cross Active Leisure Centre,” said North East Derbyshire District Cabinet Member for Leisure, Cllr Alan Powell.

“This is just what Clay Cross needs, after lots of consultation with our residents who said the old centre needed updating we are proud that works are now starting on site, building a facility that is state of the art and will be enjoyed for many years to come, delivering excellent facilities for all to enjoy in a safe environment.

Vice-Chair of Clay Cross Town Board, Charlotte Cupit, said, “We have worked extremely hard to deliver this amazing new facility for the residents of Clay Cross and the surrounding area and we’re delighted to see it start to come to fruition. As the shovel is now in the ground, delivery of the excellent ‘Clay Cross Active’ is getting closer.

It will be a fantastic facility for all to enjoy and is just one of many exciting new projects coming to the town as part of the £24 million Clay Cross Town Deal.”

Whilst works are underway, users of the current leisure facility can park at the rear of Clay Cross Hospital at peak times. Pedestrian walkways will be created shortly between the two sites to allow improved accessibility.

The council would like to place on record its thanks to Clay Cross Hospital for allowing us to use their car park.

North East Derbyshire District Council will continue to provide updates on the development of Clay Cross Active throughout the build on their website.

See North East Derbyshire District Council's YouTube channel for interviews with Cllr Alex Dale Leader of NEDDC, Cllr Charlotte Cupit, Chair of the Clay Cross Town Board and Cllr Alan Powell, Cabinet Member for Leisure.

Stay up to date by signing up to our email alert service for the Clay Cross Town Deal.