Places Leisure was awarded a 25-year design, build, operate and maintain contract for the new Camberley Leisure Centre, along with construction partners Pellikaan and Roberts Limbrick. The new centre replaces the old Camberley Arena with an enhanced state-of-the-art sports facility for the whole community.
The brief was developed to increase facilities while protecting the existing recreation ground and ecological corridors.
Consultation with stakeholders helped us to understand and meet the council's aspirations, while also considering the client's functional and operational requirements. Among all of this was the need to design a striking building to reflect the status of the flagship leisure centre.
We were challenged with a restricted site but, through efficient layouts, we incorporated a range of community and family facilities as well as a small multi-storey carpark with electric vehicle charging.
“We are excited to be creating a first-class leisure facility in Camberley that will promote physical activity and the importance of health and wellbeing.”
The new centre opened in June 2021 and continues to exceed the projected footfall. Facilities include a 150-station fitness suite, immersive group cycling studio, swimming pools, sports halls, a vibrant climbing arena and a café. There is also a fun, purpose-built soft play incorporating sensory play, obstacles and a range of tunnels and slides.
The new centre has been extremely popular with the community and is just the start of wider plans to develop and reinvigorate the town centre.