Watford Borough Council has approved a major £3 million investment to modernise and expand Watford Leisure Centre - Central, with refurbishment work set to begin in late summer 2025...
The £3 million scheme will be jointly funded by Watford Borough Council (up to £2.5 million) and Everyone Active (c. £560,000), who manage the centre on behalf of the council.
With Cabinet approval now secured, the refurbishment will deliver a significant upgrade to the facility, addressing growing demand and greatly enhancing the user experience.
To help shape the final designs, a public consultation is being delivered, inviting feedback from Everyone Active customers.
The approved plans include a major reconfiguration of underused areas to create two large group exercise studios along with a refurbishment of the third studio, increasing studio capacity from 45 to 85 participants. This expansion will enable the centre to enhance its existing programme and introduce a wider variety of group exercise classes.
Once complete, the centre will offer three high-quality studios: a mind and body studio, a multi-purpose fitness studio, and a fully upgraded spin studio featuring 28 new Keiser bikes, with immersive lighting and sound.
A cutting-edge gym expansion, with all new state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment, will see the gym almost double in size, from 70 to 120 stations. Every area, from functional training and free weights to resistance and cardio, will be expanded and improved.
Accessibility is a central focus of the plans, with the centre set to nearly double its range of IFI-accredited gym equipment. Speed lanes will be introduced at the gym entrance to enhance accessibility, alongside other improvements aimed at ensuring a more inclusive experience for all users.
To support the expansion, the centre’s changing facilities will be upgraded, with the male and female changing rooms fully refurbished under a new design concept being introduced for the first time across Everyone Active’s centres.
The ground floor communal changing rooms will receive light refurbishment, including new shower and vanity areas, to further improve the overall customer experience.
A sleek new reception area will also be introduced and feature a new and modern grab-and-go catering offer, to support members and visitors throughout the day.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “I know how important Watford Leisure Centre - Central is to our community. This investment marks a significant step forward in supporting the health and wellbeing of our town, and making the centre even better for everyone.
“With these improvements, even more people will be able to enjoy a first-class gym and fitness classes right in the heart of our town. I encourage everyone to take part in the survey and help shape the final design.”
Karl Miles, area contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re incredibly excited to move forward with the refurbishment plans, which will transform Watford Leisure Centre - Central into a modern, welcoming space that reflects the needs of our community.
“By expanding and upgrading key areas of the facility, we’ll be able to offer a significantly enhanced experience for our members — with more space, better equipment, and a broader choice of classes.”
For further information please visit: www.everyoneactive.com/watfordrefurb/
