New Leisure Centre at Wilson Sports Village Named in Honour of Cath Thom as Construction Nears Completion
New Leisure Centre at Wilson Sports Village Named in Honour of Cath Thom as Construction Nears Completion
Hyndburn Borough Council provided a significant update on the construction of the new leisure centre at Wilson Sports Village. A report to the Council’s Cabinet this week highlights that completion on the construction is expected on 19th September 2025.
Image: Cath Thom Leisure Centre under construction
The centre is scheduled to open to the public on 10th October 2025, and will be managed by Hyndburn Leisure, who are now preparing for the opening with staff recruitment, training, and final fit-out plans well underway.
Construction works resumed in January 2025 following the appointment of Universal Civils and Build Ltd as the new contractor, after the previous contractor entered administration in September 2024.
Thanks to the swift action of Council officers and Alliance Leisure, the Council’s lead delivery partner, the project was quickly restarted and has since made strong progress. The building is now in its final stages, with internal finishes, pool tiling, and external works nearing completion.
Councillor Melissa Fisher, Deputy Leader of the Council said:
“I’m so pleased to see the progress that has been made at Wilson Sports Village. This is a huge project that the Council have invested in and having visited the construction site many times over recent months it is clear that this will be a fantastic facility for our residents. The existing facilities on the site including the track, pitches and woodlands are already so well used by many sports clubs. The opening of the new leisure centre will complement the current facilities perfectly, creating a fantastic multi sports facility with something for everyone.”
Cabinet will also be asked to approve the naming of the new leisure centre in honour of Cath Thom, a much-loved former councillor and Mayor of Hyndburn who dedicated many years of her life to serving the local community.
Cath Thom represented Clayton-le-Moors for 16 years as a borough and county councillor, and in 1992 was appointed Mayor of Hyndburn. In recognition of her outstanding service, she was later awarded the borough’s highest civic honour—Honorary Alderman. Known for her warmth, determination and deep-rooted commitment to the people of Clayton, Cath was widely respected and admired.
Councillor Fisher added:
“Fittingly, the new centre includes a swimming pool—something Cath came to enjoy herself later in life, learning to swim at the age of 70. It’s a small but meaningful reflection of her spirit: always willing to try something new, and always focused on wellbeing and community. Naming the centre in her honour is a lasting tribute to someone who gave so much to the town she loved. “
Financially, the project remains well managed. The latest forecast indicates a 1% increase on the approved budget, with a projected overspend of £128,000. This is being covered from within existing Council resources, thanks to careful cost control and value engineering throughout the build. The Council also gratefully acknowledges the additional £240,000 grant from Sport England, which was instrumental in enabling the project to resume.
The 1% increase comes despite the significant challenges faced when the original contractor, ISG, went into administration in September 2024, which brought work on site to a standstill for 4 months and affected hundreds of construction projects across the country.
Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said:
“This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through determination and effective partnership working. All involved worked so hard to resolve a major problem when the previous contractor went into administration.
The Cath Thom Leisure Centre, which will be the focal point of Wilson Sports Village, will be a lasting tribute to someone who gave so much to our borough, and I’m delighted to see it nearing completion. I want to thank Sport England for their generous support, and Alliance Leisure for their swift and effective work in getting the project back on track. We’re now looking forward to opening the doors this October and welcoming residents into this brilliant new facility.”
The Cath Thom Leisure Centre will form a key part of the wider Wilson Sports Village development, offering high-quality facilities that support health, wellbeing, and active lifestyles for the whole community.
Regular construction updates can be found on the Council’s Facebook page, and more general information can be found here https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/wilson-sport-village/