Help plan Exeter's new leisure complex

The site has been identified, funding secured, the design team appointed, now Exeter City Council wants to hear people’s views as they start to prepare a planning application for a brand new leisure centre to be built on the bus station site in the centre of Exeter.

Having opened in the 1940s, Exeter’s much loved but ageing Pyramids pool is reaching the end of its lifetime. It has become very costly to run and needs substantial multi-million pound investment just to secure its continued operation, before any improvements could be made to enhance the user experience.

The physical constraints of the Pyramids building and site mean there is also no scope for extension to offer more facilities. 

The £20 million Exeter Active leisure centre project represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to replace the Pyramids pool with modern, efficient and sustainable swimming and leisure facilities on part of the bus and coach station site.

Exeter City Council’s proposal sits alongside the Crown Estate’s ambitions to regenerate the wider area with their own retail and cinema development, as well as replacement bus station. The two projects are completely separate however, and will form two independent planning applications. 

The types of facilities proposed for Exeter Active include two 25 metre pools, a fully equipped fitness suite, health and fitness studios, crèche and changing facililties.

Council Leader Peter Edwards said “2015 is already a massive year for sport in Exeter, with the whole world watching as we host the Rugby World Cup. The Exeter Active proposal is yet another statement of intent for Exeter as a hub for health and fitness, in line with our vision to deliver a lasting sporting legacy from this landmark year.”

Exeter City Council wants the whole community to get involved in the design of world class facilities in the heart of the city.

The Council will be seeking to meet with a broad range of community and sports groups across the city to seek input on the plans and there will be a number of public consultation events.

Visit www.exeteractive.com to find out more about the proposals and to get in touch with the project team. People can also join the discussion and get the latest news by following Exeter Active on Twitter @ExeterActive.