Braintree Leisure Facilities Receive Over £921,000 Investment in First Year
Council and Freedom Leisure partnership delivers significant upgrades to sports and wellbeing amenities across the district.
By Rebecca Flint
••3 min read
AI
Modern leisure centre with solar panels and LED lighting in East of England.
Braintree District Council has marked a successful first year in partnership with Freedom Leisure, during which more than £921,000 was invested in upgrading leisure facilities across the district.
The collaboration has focused on enhancing the customer experience, improving maintenance, and boosting sports provision. Over the past 12 months, significant capital investment has been channelled into four sites located in Braintree, Witham, and Halstead, ensuring residents benefit from high-quality facilities that promote health, wellbeing, and active lifestyles.
Key improvements include the installation of a Pool Pod at Witham Leisure Centre to enhance accessibility, new LED floodlighting for artificial grass pitches at Braintree Sports & Health Club and Witham Sports Ground, and LED lighting upgrades on netball courts at Braintree Sports & Health Club. A comprehensive LED lighting conversion was also completed at Halstead Leisure Centre, affecting its sports hall, squash courts, studio, changing rooms, reception, and pool hall.
Furthermore, a new 3G pitch has been constructed at Witham Sports Ground to expand opportunities for grassroots sport. The programme also saw upgrades to boiler, hot water, and air handling systems for improved energy efficiency and operational reliability, alongside the replacement of the sports hall floor at Braintree Sports & Health Club.
These enhancements aim to provide residents with modern, sustainable, and welcoming facilities, supporting increased participation in sport and physical activity. Councillor Toby Williams, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Wellbeing at Braintree District Council, stated, "Providing high-quality leisure facilities is an important part of the Council's commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our residents."
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"Over the past year, our partnership with Freedom Leisure has delivered real improvements across the district, from better customer experiences and upgraded equipment to significant investment in our sports and leisure infrastructure. We are proud to have invested more than £800,000 in our leisure facilities, ensuring they continue to meet the needs of our communities both now and in the future. These improvements are creating better opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities to be active, healthy and connected."
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"We are delighted to have completed our first year working in partnership with Braintree District Council. Together, we have delivered a number of important improvements and investments that are already benefiting customers and local communities. We look forward to continuing our work with the Council to further enhance leisure opportunities across the district."
The investment programme also aligns with the Council's climate change objectives. Witham Leisure Centre now features solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, generating renewable electricity to power the facility, reduce carbon emissions, and lower energy costs. This installation is noted as one of the first local authority solar carports in Essex.
Combined with the extensive use of energy-efficient LED lighting and building system improvements, the Council is enhancing the sustainability of its leisure estate and managing long-term operating costs. The commitment to investing in services and facilities that support healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and a greener district remains a priority.
