Dacorum Leisure Investment Programme

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Frequently Asked Questions

Please see the most frequently asked questions below which we hope will answer any queries that you may have.

  1. Leisure Centres, Funding and Timescales

  • The leisure investment programme focuses on Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre and Berkhamsted Leisure Centre.
  • The investment has been developed to address the condition, compliance and long-term sustainability of these important leisure facilities, ensuring they can continue to support health, wellbeing, sport and physical activity across Dacorum.

  • The project forms part of Dacorum Borough Council’s wider leisure investment programme.
  • The budget for the investment programme is £23 million.
  • The proposed work shows that most of the available budget is required to deliver essential works, with any wider enhancements subject to prioritisation, affordability, value engineering and further funding decisions.

  • The works are focused first on essential improvements needed to keep the facilities safe, compliant and operational.
  • This includes investment in building fabric, mechanical and electrical systems, pool plant, heating, ventilation, plumbing, lighting, roofs, doors, windows, sports hall floors and internal finishes.
  • Subject to budget and final decision-making, further improvements may also include upgrades to changing areas, studios, fitness spaces, health suite areas, pool hall environments, reception, circulation and the overall customer experience.

  • The project has currently reached the concept design stage. This stage has reviewed the condition of the buildings, explored the scope of works, assessed costs and considered different levels of investment.
  • The next stage is to develop the preferred scope in more detail. This will include further design work, phasing, cost refinement, risk review and programme delivery.
  • More detailed timescales will be shared once the phasing of the programme for each leisure centre has been finalised.

  • The stakeholder engagement and the previous survey information has helped to inform the project plan and designs. The Council will continue to keep residents, customers and key stakeholders informed via this website.

  • Dacorum Borough Council is leading the leisure investment programme.
  • Alliance Leisure Services have been appointed through the UK Leisure Framework as the Council’s development partner for the leisure investment programme. Alliance Leisure Services have engaged GT3 Architects, Speller Metcalfe Ltd. as principal contractor and Abacus Ltd. as cost consultants as part of the wider delivery team.
  • Alliance Leisure Services are working with the council and the wider professional team to develop the design, manage cost / risk, support procurement and help deliver the agreed improvements.

2. Plans, Sustainability and Project Updates

  • Sustainability is an important consideration within the project. The reports identify a need to improve ageing building systems and consider opportunities that support better long-term efficiency and operation.
  • The works will include upgrades to mechanical, electrical, heating, ventilation, pool plant and lighting systems. These improvements have the potential to make the buildings more efficient, reduce operational risk and support the Council’s wider sustainability and net zero ambitions.

  • The work is needed as both Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre and Berkhamsted Leisure Centre are ageing facilities with increasing maintenance, lifecycle and compliance pressures.
  • The reports identify that significant investment is required to maintain safe, compliant and operational facilities. Without investment, the buildings are likely to face increasing maintenance challenges, higher operational risk and reduced ability to meet community expectations.
  • The investment will help protect important local leisure provision, improve the customer experience and support long-term health, wellbeing and physical activity outcomes across Dacorum.

  • The council is committed to maintaining transparency and will provide the most up to date designs on the Leisure Investment microsite.

  • Keeping residents and members/users informed is an important part of the project.
  • Updates will be provided through this microsite and Council communication channels, as well as communications from Everyone Active.
  • Further information will be shared to explain what is happening and when. This may include updates on timing and expected impacts.

3. Leisure Centre User Information – What will happen to my membership

  • Everyone Active will communicate directly with all affected users to provide clear information about how their memberships and swimming lessons will be managed throughout the development works.

  • The gym facilities at both centres will be relocated to the sports hall during a period of the works to allow access to services behind the scenes.

  • The swimming pool at Berkhamsted Leisure Centre will close from March 2027 until November 2027.
  • The swimming pools at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre will close from November 2027 until February 2029.

  • Swimming lessons will be suspended during the project whilst the pools are closed.
  • We will help support customers find spaces in swim programmes at local alternative Everyone Active sites.
  • Following the reopening of the pools we will contact all swimmers to rebook back into our learn to swim programme.

  • Group exercise at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre will continue throughout with a revised timetable from May 2027 until November 2027.
  • Berkhamsted Leisure Centre will be operating a revised timetable from November 2027 until May 2028.
  • Class locations may vary and will be displayed upon booking.

  • Members changing will be available during most of these works but there will be a period of closure in the works to allow access to services behind the scenes.

  • The Sports Hall at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre will close from May 2027 and will reopen in February 2029
  • Berkhamsted Leisure Centre Sports Hall will close from November 2027 until May 2028.

  • The sauna and steam room will be closed throughout duration of the works.

  • The café at Hemel LC will be closed from November 2027 and will reopen once the project is completed.

  • There will be no direct disruption to Sapphire's operations.

  • Please see details below based on area of use.
  • Annual memberships will be extended, and all members will receive communication detailing length of extension.

  • Yes, if you are a current member at the start of the closure period you can access other Everyone Active sites.

  • Yes, there will still be parking available, although there will be a reduction in the number of spaces to allow the contractors to install their welfare facilities.

  • There is no planned whole centre closure.


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