Plans to deliver a multi-million pound expansion of the sports centre in Attleborough were given the go-ahead by district councillors on Thursday, October 6, 2022.

At the meeting of Breckland Council members, councillors voted in favour of upgrading the existing sports centre, which is on the Attleborough Academy site.

The £2.6m project is expected to see the gym redeveloped and new rooms built to enable fitness classes and other activities to be held at the site in the future. Breckland Council anticipates that around £1.6m of the total cost will be contributed by developers who are building houses on the outskirts of the town.

The councillors’ vote means the project can move on to the next stage, which will see a final specification for the site drawn up and formal planning permission sought. The project is being led by Breckland Council, with support from Norfolk County Council, Attleborough Town Council, Attleborough Academy, and The Sapientia Trust.

Cllr Alison Webb, Breckland Council’s Executive Member for Health, Leisure and Communities, said: “Receiving the backing of the council members means this exciting project is now full steam ahead. When complete, the bigger and better sports centre will put an enhanced health, leisure and fitness resource right on the high street.”

The project follows a report commissioned by Breckland Council which confirmed there is demand for enhanced sports facilities in the area and that this would increase as the town continues to expand.