Major planning applications for new leisure facilities at Rivermead and Palmer Park approved

Plans to deliver new leisure facilities for Reading have been given the go-ahead with the approval last night (31 March) of two major planning applications.

The applications for both Rivermead and Palmer Park were considered at Reading Council’s Planning Committee.

Now the planning applications have been approved, we hope to see construction begin on both sites this summer. The existing leisure centre at Rivermead will remain open until the new centre is finished so there will be facilities for people to use throughout the project. Our aim is to deliver the new facilities by early 2023.

The chosen leisure provider, Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) – who currently manage Rivermead Leisure Centre on behalf of the Council – will operate the new leisure facilities on our behalf once they are opened.

The planning applications provided a detailed view of the new facilities, which are set to include:

A modern new-build leisure centre at Rivermead, offering:

• A 25m 8-lane competition pool with 300 spectator seats
• A combined teaching and diving pool with moveable floor
• Splash pads
• A 6-court sports hall with 250 spectator seats
• A 120-station gym with 3 studios
• A café/ info hub and soft play

At Palmer Park, in addition to the refurbishment of the existing stadium building, there will be:

• A modern new 25 metre, 6-lane community pool
• A 100-station gym with three studios
• An activity zone for children with party rooms,
• And a new café and information hub.

There will also be improvements at South Reading and Meadway leisure centres.

View the full planning reports.

Find out more about the project.