Excitement is building in Attleborough as work has officially begun on the refurbishment and expansion of the town’s leisure centre. Local leaders, councillors, and stakeholders gathered recently for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction on this major investment in local health and wellbeing.
The project will see the existing Attleborough Leisure Centre transformed into a modern and accessible facility designed to meet the growing needs of the community. Plans include a new fitness suite, spin studio, improved changing areas, a multi-purpose studio, and a refurbished main sports hall.
The leisure centre will be more accessible to the community than ever before, with the enhanced facilities open to the public seven days a week, from early mornings until late evenings. The Academy, which is attached to the site, will continue to have access to the improved sports hall facilities as part of their PE curriculum.
The refurbishment is part of Breckland Council’s continued investment in Attleborough town centre’s regeneration, aiming to boost local footfall and ensure the High Street continues to thrive as a vibrant community hub.
Construction is being carried out by MJS Projects, with the new facility expected to open at the end of Summer 2026. The project is being delivered by Breckland Council in partnership with the Attleborough Academy, Sapientia Education Trust, Attleborough Town Council and Norfolk County Council.
Cllr Tristan Ashby, Executive Member for Health and Communities, said: “This is a landmark moment for Attleborough. The new and improved leisure centre will provide a fantastic range of facilities for residents of all ages, supporting active, healthy lifestyles right here in the town centre.”
Nick Mann, Commercial Director for MJS Projects, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as the Main Contractor to deliver this important community project. Our dedicated team has worked seamlessly with our project partners to ensure delivery certainty through a robust value engineering and buildability process.
“As a proud local contractor, we are deeply committed to supporting our communities – from creating learning opportunities such as T Level placements for future professionals and tradespeople, to engaging our local supply chain in the successful delivery of these much-anticipated new leisure facilities.
“In celebration of the award of this project, we look forward to engaging with the Academy by hosting a tree planting event as part of our continued commitment to the local community and environment.”
Attleborough Town Council said: “The Town Council is very pleased to see this project progressing and it will be good to see construction finally begin and to have the leisure centre open for all by the summer of 2026.
“The project has been delivered efficiently and professionally with a cohesive strand of key partners who have all put in so much hard work and dedication to achieve this for our town.
“We are sure that the leisure provision will be a valuable and well-used asset once it is open. The extended facilities will undoubtedly ensure the townsfolk will be kept healthy and happy for future years to come.”
Andy Robinson, Deputy CEO of Sapientia Trust,added: “From a multi-academy trust perspective, there’s been a fantastic working relationship between Sapientia Trust and Breckland Council the whole way through, and that’s what’s made this project get off the ground.”
