Investing in leisure in Cheadle

Published on 15 March 2023

Plans to improve and enhance leisure amenities in Cheadle will include refurbishing the existing leisure centre, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has announced.

Investing in leisure amenities remains a priority for the Council following the recent unsuccessful bid for Levelling Up funding for a new leisure centre.

To move plans forward, the Council is now looking at:

• A structured, planned refurbishment of South Moorlands Leisure Centre
• Practical benefits that meet customer and user group needs
• Discussions with Cheadle Sports Council and user groups to help decide what benefits will be delivered

Councillor Mark Deaville, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Sport and Leisure, said: "We are prioritising improving the sports and leisure facilities in Cheadle which was one of the key things people told us they wanted in recent public consultations on regenerating the town.

"We were, of course, disappointed that our recent bid for Levelling Up funding for a new leisure centre was unsuccessful but we remain to committed to providing the facilities people deserve. In fact, I am even more determined to deliver these sport and leisure improvements for the people of Cheadle and the surrounding area.

"That includes looking at plans to refurbish the existing leisure centre to deliver the practical benefits that customers and user groups need in consultation with the local sports council and other stakeholders.

"These improved amenities will add to the overall sports and leisure provision in and around Cheadle and will, I hope, send a clear message to the local community that they won't be left behind."

This comes shortly after the Council announced a £140,000 investment in better changing facilities and a refurbished bowling pavilion at Tean Road Recreation Ground.

It follows the delivery of a number of projects at the Cheadle site in recent years -  including new toddler play areas, an improved and extended skate park, a new multi-use games area and tennis courts - which have proved popular with the community and encouraged wider use of the recreation ground by young people and families.