Have your say on new leisure centre at the heart of Kingston
Residents are invited to have their say on early designs for a new community leisure, well-being and cultural destination on the site of the Kingfisher Leisure Centre.
The plans are available on the newly launched website, where residents can share their feedback through an interactive digital survey or by joining an online public webinar. There will also be opportunities to chat with the Transform Kingston team at drop-in events in the town centre.
This engagement follows a listening exercise held earlier this year in which more than 2,500 people told the council what their priorities were for the site. The feedback has shaped the proposed mix of uses and outdoor spaces, including swimming and teaching pools, a gym, squash courts, a sports hall, and community uses like soft play for children and clip and climb. The new leisure building will be accessible for all residents and significantly improve the environmental performance of the centre, making it fit for the future.
Cllr Caroline Kerr, Leader of Kingston Council, said:
“We know that the Kingfisher was a cherished facility, and we are delighted to be pressing ahead with our ambitious plans to deliver a fantastic new community leisure centre and outdoor community space.
“We were really pleased to hear from so many people in the earlier phase of our engagement. That feedback has directly influenced what we plan to deliver here, and we hope local people will again come out in force to help shape the final designs that will be put forward for planning permission.
“We want to hear from the whole community, as we embark on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform our town centre so that Kingston is ready to thrive in a post-COVID world.”
The council is also considering what might be delivered on the site of the Cattle Market car park. The survey will run for four weeks, after which the council will use this next phase of feedback to further develop the plans. Visit www.transformkingston.co.uk to learn more, register for an online public meeting and fill in the survey. A final phase of engagement, on more developed plans, will take place later this year following which a planning application will be submitted. The council will also be bringing forward plans for the Guildhall complex for public engagement at a later date.