Braintree District Council is celebrating a successful first year of its partnership with Freedom Leisure, which has seen more than £921,934 invested in leisure facilities across the district.
Braintree District Council is celebrating a successful first year of its partnership with Freedom Leisure, which has seen more than £921,934 invested in leisure facilities across the district alongside improvements to customer service, maintenance and sports provision.
Over the past 12 months, the Council has worked closely with Freedom Leisure to ensure residents continue to benefit from high-quality leisure facilities that support health, wellbeing and active lifestyles. The partnership has focused on improving the customer experience, addressing repairs, upgrading equipment and investing in facilities that will benefit residents for years to come.
As part of the Council's commitment to maintaining and enhancing leisure provision across the district, a programme of capital investment worth more than £921,934 has been delivered at the four sites in Braintree, Witham and Halstead.
Key improvements include:
- Installation of a Pool Pod at Witham Leisure Centre, improving accessibility and ensuring more residents can enjoy swimming facilities.
- New LED floodlighting for the 3G artificial grass pitch at Braintree Sports & Health Club.
- New LED floodlighting for the 2G artificial grass pitch at Witham Sports Ground.
- Installation of LED lighting on the netball courts at Braintree Sports & Health Club.
- Full LED lighting conversion at Halstead Leisure Centre, including the sports hall, squash courts, studio, wet-side changing rooms, reception and pool hall.
- Construction of a new 3G pitch at Witham Sports Ground, expanding opportunities for grassroots sport and physical activity.
- Upgrades to boiler, hot water and air handling systems to improve energy efficiency and operational reliability.
- Replacement of the sports hall floor at Braintree Sports & Health Club
The improvements are helping to ensure that residents have access to modern, welcoming and sustainable facilities while supporting participation in sport and physical activity across the district.
Councillor Toby Williams, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Wellbeing at Braintree District Council, said:
"Providing high-quality leisure facilities is an important part of the Council's commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our residents. 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."
Jon Richardson, area manager at Freedom Leisure, said:
"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 supports the Council's wider climate change ambitions. At Witham Leisure Centre, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate renewable electricity which helps power the facility, reducing carbon emissions and energy costs, and it is one of the first local authority solar carports in Essex.
Combined with the extensive installation of energy-efficient LED lighting and improvements to building systems, the Council is continuing to make its leisure estate more sustainable while helping to manage long-term operating costs.
The Council remains committed to investing in services and facilities that support healthier lifestyles, stronger communities and a greener district.