Olympic and Paralympic sporting stars to officially open new £33.9m Leighton Leisure and Community Centre

Central Bedfordshire Council is inviting residents to celebrate the official opening of the brand-new Leighton Leisure and Community Centre with a special Family Fun Day on Saturday, 27 June 2026.

The state-of-the-art facility, operated by Everyone Active on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council, represents a £33.9 million investment in health, wellbeing and community facilities for Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding area.

To mark the opening, residents of all ages are invited to enjoy a packed programme of free activities, tours and family entertainment throughout the day. The celebrations will also include appearances from British Olympic athletics legend Colin Jackson CBE and Paralympic swimming champion Maisie Summers-Newton MBE, who will take part in the official opening and join visitors for activities and meet-and-greet opportunities.

Paralympic swimming champion Maisie Summers-Newton MBE

The new centre replaces Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre and offers a wide range of modern fitness, leisure and community facilities, including:

An eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool
A learner pool with movable floor and a dedicated splash pool
A 150-station gym with Technogym equipment
Group exercise, cycling and Reformer studios
Two squash courts
Wellness facilities, including hydromassage beds
Three treatment rooms available for hire
Community rooms and meeting spaces
A public café
Two fully accessible Changing Places facilities
The centre has been designed to be inclusive, accessible and welcoming for everyone in the community.

Councillor Steven Watkins, Executive Member for Assets, Business and Housing at Central Bedfordshire Council, said:

“We are proud to be opening our fifth new leisure centre, demonstrating our long-term commitment to improving opportunity and quality of life across our communities.

“This fantastic new facility is a major investment in residents’ health and wellbeing and will provide modern, accessible spaces for people of all ages to enjoy for many years to come.

“We hope residents will come along to the Family Fun Day celebrations, explore the new centre and take advantage of everything this fantastic facility has to offer.”

Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre will close at midday on Friday, 26 June 2026, ahead of the transition to the new facility. Existing memberships will automatically transfer to Leighton Leisure and Community Centre, with opening times remaining unchanged.

More information about the new centre and opening day activities is available on the Everyone Active website. Leighton Leisure and Community Centre – Everyone Active