Leighton Linslade Leisure Centre – Community Health & Wellbeing Hub

A new landmark for leisure in Leighton Buzzard

Willmott Dixon has completed and handed over the new £33.9m Leighton Linslade Leisure Centre, a modern health and wellbeing hub delivered for Central Bedfordshire Council at Clipstone Park in Leighton Buzzard. Replacing the former Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre, the two-storey, 5,225m² facility opened its doors in June 2026 and welcomed more than 3,500 people across its first weekend alone.

Designed as a multi-generational community hub, a place for a first swimming lesson, a lunchtime workout or a physiotherapy recovery session alike, the centre is now open and operated by Everyone Active on behalf of the council.

An opening the whole town turned out for

The centre was officially opened on Saturday 27 June 2026 by Olympic and Paralympic champions Colin Jackson, Maisie Summers-Newton and Olivia Newman-Baronius, alongside the council's Steven Watkins.

For Newman-Baronius, a Paralympic swimming champion who grew up in Leighton Buzzard, it was a genuine homecoming: she described the centre as her new local training spot, singling out the gym's reformer and hydro beds for recovery. Visitors were invited to try free activities, tour the building and enjoy family entertainment throughout the weekend, a brand-new community asset, packed with people from the very first day.

What we delivered

Built around an expansive, light-filled internal layout, the centre brings a comprehensive aquatics, fitness and community offer together under one roof:

• A three-pool aquatics offer - an eight-lane, 25-metre main pool for recreation and competition, a learner pool with a movable floor for all ages and abilities, and a dedicated splash pool for early-years and sensory play.
• A 150-station gym with cardiovascular, strength and resistance equipment, plus reformer and hydro provision for training and recovery.
• Squash courts and a suite of studios for group exercise, indoor cycling and reformer Pilates.
• Consultation and wellbeing rooms supporting personal training and health advice.
• A café and social space, community rooms and meeting spaces, all designed to be inclusive and accessible throughout.
• Landscaped public areas, improved site access and outdoor changing provision supporting adjacent sports pitches and local clubs.

A customer that keeps coming back

Leighton Linslade is Central Bedfordshire Council's fifth new leisure centre, and the latest chapter in a long-term partnership that has now seen Willmott Dixon and the council deliver ten projects together since 2011. Procured through the Central Bedfordshire Framework and delivered under a JCT 2016 Design & Build contract, the scheme was designed and built alongside the actively developing Clipstone Park residential neighbourhood, calling for careful coordination with a growing community around the site.

Built to last, and built responsibly

Sustainability was built in rather than bolted on. Although the scheme was not set a formal BREEAM or Net Zero Carbon target, its design incorporates high-performance building fabric, low-carbon heating and ventilation, SuDS-compliant landscaping and material selections guided by whole-life performance. The project was digitally delivered using BIM Level 2 to coordinate design and MEP integration, reduce waste on site and improve construction efficiency, whole-life thinking that supports Willmott Dixon's ambition to be a net zero carbon company by 2030 and gives the community a building that costs less to run and treads more lightly.

Value for the local community

As with every Willmott Dixon project, delivery created lasting social and economic value locally, from apprenticeships, skills development and supply-chain partnerships to significant local spend with regional suppliers. The project was registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme and CLOCS, and offered schools and local groups the chance to engage through site visits and education sessions.

In their words

“Leighton Linslade Leisure Centre represents the delivery of a modern, future-focused community asset designed to support both operational performance and long-term community wellbeing. By combining sustainable design principles with high-quality leisure provision, the project demonstrates how local authority developments can create lasting value for communities while also supporting wider environmental ambitions.”

Simon Ramage, Managing Director, London & East, Willmott Dixon

“We are proud to officially open our fifth new leisure centre. The facilities here are outstanding, with something for everyone, whether you're getting active, trying something new or simply coming along to enjoy the space. We hope it will become a real hub for local people and be enjoyed for many years to come.”

Steven Watkins, Executive Member for Assets, Business and Housing, Central Bedfordshire Council

“There's a buzz and an atmosphere - people here can't get enough of it.”

Colin Jackson, at the official opening