Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre

The Leisure Centre was built on land donated to the people of Stocksbridge by Thomas Oxley and built with the help of donations collected by the residents of Stocksbridge and Deepcar. Unfortunately in January 2013 Sheffield City Council announced that, due to budget cuts, it intended to close Stocksbridge Leisure Centre and Swimming Baths. The Centre is a treasured community asset and a campaign to save the it was launched which resulted in the forming of a local community trust (now a fully registered charity), 4SLC For Stocksbridge Leisure Centre. The Centre was closed for around three months during the summer of 2013 during which time a huge group of volunteers set about refurbishing the Centre. Money was provided by the Council and raised within the community; local firms donated supplies and individuals undertook over 2000 hours of voluntary work. In January 2014 the dry sports facilities officially re-opened. Providing quality sport and leisure local clubs, schools and individuals. With a variety of programmes and events for people of all ages from holiday play camps to senior citizens activities for health and fitness The success of the ‘dry side’ gave the Directors confidence to announce their intention to re-open the ‘wet side’ within 12 months. A major fund raising campaign ‘Pathway to the Pool’ was launched including selling brick plaques in order to raise the money needed to refurbish the facilities and install an energy efficient heating system. In December 2014 sufficient monies had been raised to purchase a biomass boiler and restore the ‘Learner Pool’ On 16 February 2015 the refurbished Learner Pool – complete with a new energy efficient boiler – re-opened to groups and organised activities. To date the 'Learner Pool' has been a great success. Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre is a great testament to what can be achieved through community spirit.