Haverhill Leisure Centre is set to undergo a major fitness suite refurbishment this autumn, thanks to a £160,000 investment from West Suffolk Council, giving the Haverhill community a brand-new, state-of-the-art gym experience.
The investment, from West Suffolk Council’s Leisure Investment Fund, marks the biggest overhaul of the gym since its last refurbishment in 2018.
The project has also been boosted by an additional £30,000 from St Edmunds Trust, specifically funding the new EGYM resistance equipment.
The refurbishment forms phase one of a wider programme of improvements planned for the centre this year, with upgrades to the studios, changing rooms and a new interactive soft play area to follow later in the year.
What’s changing
As part of the fitness suite transformation, members and visitors can look forward to:
- New state-of-the-art Pulse cardio and resistance machines
- New smart EGYM resistance machines offering personalised, data-led workouts
- An improved functional training area to support a wider range of workout styles
- Modern flooring throughout the fitness suite
- New LED lighting for a brighter, more energising space
- Contemporary redecoration creating a fresh, modern look and feel
Together, these upgrades are designed to give the Haverhill community a better experience and the tools they need to achieve their fitness goals, no matter where they are in their fitness journey.
To allow the refurbishment work to take place, the main gym will be closed from Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October.
Importantly, the power/weights room will remain open, along with the rest of the centre, so members can continue their training with minimal disruption throughout the closure period.
Abbeycroft will contact members and regular users of the facility directly with all the information about the refurbishment and short closure.
Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure at West Suffolk Council, said:
“We are committed to working with Abbeycroft, our leisure partner, to deliver targeted enhancements to support the health and wellbeing of residents to help them thrive within our communities. The Leisure Investment Fund was created by the council as part of our commitment to support upgrades to leisure centres across the whole district, so people have access to modern sport and recreational facilities.
“This is just the start of improvements to the Haverhill Leisure Centre that will ensure the centre can keep providing a positive impact in the town in years to come.”
Warren Smyth, CEO at Abbeycroft, said:
“This investment is about more than new equipment — it’s about giving the people of Haverhill the tools and support they need to build healthier, happier lives. Partnerships like this, working alongside West Suffolk Council, are exactly how we deliver real, lasting benefit for our communities. We’re also grateful to St Edmunds Trust for their support, and we’re proud to keep investing in facilities that make a genuine difference to the people who use them.
Neville Horn, Chair of the St Edmunds Trust
The St Edmunds Trust is delighted to support this investment in Haverhill Leisure Centre through funding for the new EGYM equipment. We know that accessible, high-quality leisure facilities play an important role in improving health and wellbeing, and this refurbishment will help people of all ages and abilities to lead more active lifestyles. We are proud to work alongside West Suffolk Council and Abbeycroft on a project that will deliver lasting benefits for the Haverhill community and ensure local residents can enjoy modern, innovative fitness facilities for years to come.
As we look ahead to our Annual General Meeting and next Trust meeting in December, we are also keen to hear from organisations and groups seeking support for projects that benefit communities across West Suffolk, and we welcome new applications.
Find out more about the refurbishment here.
[All images are indicative of the new gym]
