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Gold medals for all concerned as celebrated Olympian drops in to see new Lichfield leisure centre

Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington OBE dropped into Lichfield to visit the new state-of-the-art leisure centre and mark a major construction milestone at the site.

By Paul Jenkins
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She joined civic leaders, project partners and representatives of other district organisations on Wednesday for a "topping out" ceremony at Stychbrook Park, where the main structure of the new £11.3 million facility is now complete.

Rebecca Adlington OBE signs a beam at the leisure centre which is on track to open in December.
Rebecca Adlington OBE signs a beam at the leisure centre which is on track to open in December.

 Due to open its doors in December this year, the new centre is set to become a flagship destination for sport, health and wellbeing in the region and will feature a 25-metre swimming pool, an 80-station gym, modern spin and dance studios, a community room, and an outdoor 3G pitch. It will replacing the ageing Friary Grange Sports Centre.

(L-R) Developers Stepnell Managing Director Tom Wakeford, Leader of Lichfield District Council Doug Pullen and Rebecca Adlington OBE.
(L-R) Developers Stepnell Managing Director Tom Wakeford, Leader of Lichfield District Council Doug Pullen and Rebecca Adlington OBE.

As founder of ReCreation, the specialist leisure consultancy which has helped develop the leisure centre in partnership with contractors Stepnell, Rebecca, who won two gold medals in the 2008 games in Beijing, made her second visit to the site, having taken part in the ground breaking ceremony last autumn.

The company, which she founded with fellow Olympic swimmer Steve Parry MBE was awarded the contract for the centre in July 2023 

She said: “I’m excited to see the new Lichfield Leisure Centre coming to life.

"Having access to modern swimming facilities is so important for inspiring the next generation of swimmers and creating opportunities for communities to develop healthy habits and lifelong, active skills.

“I’m incredibly proud of the team at ReCreation, who have developed a wonderful facility to maximise the investment from Lichfield District Council, ultimately providing vital facilities, giving children the opportunity to learn, improve, and develop a love for swimming.“

Tom Wakeford from Stepnell said: "We are incredibly proud to be delivering the Lichfield leisure centre.  It's fantastic to see the vision for this state-of-the-art facility truly coming together.

"Our team has worked diligently to ensure the project progresses well, and we’re excited for the community to benefit from this fantastic new centre.”

Leader of Lichfield District Council councillor Doug Pullen said:  “Today wasn't just about the concrete and steel – it’s a celebration of how far we have come as a community in creating a leisure centre we can all be proud of."