£300k upgrade of Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre in Linslade starts next week

The work by Central Bedfordshire Council will include refurbishment of the swimming pool changing village to install new showers, new LED lighting, new flooring, additional hairdryers and other essential items.

Air conditioning will also be installed in the gym and in the café area to enable a comfortable temperature to be maintained all year round. Other essential works will also be completed while the centre is closed to the public, including repairs to the lift.

The works are being undertaken now to minimise disruption to users and the council says all works will be undertaken in line with the Government guidance on Covid-19.

Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services, said: “The Government advice is clear that we should carry on with work like this during the pandemic and all necessary precautions will be taken on site.

“We look forward to welcoming customers to the upgraded facilities when the centre can re-open to the public.”

Earlier this year the LBO reported how Leighton Buzzard’s hopes of getting a new leisure centre had received a funding boost – but the future of the existing Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre had been placed in doubt.

CBC's draft capital spending programme for 2020/21 to 2023/2 had allocated £16m for improved facilities in Leighton Buzzard, although it remained to be decided how that money would be spent.

In 2014 the council invested £2m in Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre and relaunched it as lifestyles@tiddenfoot, but the public and local councillors have been calling for a second leisure centre to meet the demand from Leighton Buzzard’s growing population for some time.

But while it appears the money earmarked for Leighton Buzzard would be used to build a new centre, it has been stated that Tiddenfoot could be disposed of rather than Leighton-Linslade benefitting from two venues – “a price worth paying”, according to Leighton Buzzard South Cllr Amanda Dodwell.