Major refurbishment works on-track at Dovedale Leisure Centre
The refurbishment and remodelling of Dovedale Leisure Centre is well underway, and the Chelmsford City Council facility is set to re-open in early 2026.
TechnoGym’s visual plans for Dovedale’s new gym.
Dovedale is on Chelmsford College’s Moulsham Street campus and will continue to be operated by Chelmsford City Council in partnership with the college, serving both students and the public. When the centre reopens, users will benefit from exciting upgrades including an expanded and remodelled gym and an additional exercise studio, plus increased opening hours for the public.
Have your say: Customer consultation launched
The plans for Dovedale’s refurbishment and remodelling works were based on feedback from centre users. A customer survey found that updated gym equipment and a broader range of classes, particularly in the mornings, were most in-demand.
To build on information gathered from that survey, a customer consultation launched this week to ask what Dovedale users – existing and new – would like to see when the centre re-opens.
The centre will open with new and extensive programmes, designed to benefit both individuals and community groups who live in and around the Chelmsford area. To help shape these programmes, we’d love to hear from you!
Councillor Natacha Dudley says hearing directly from residents is the council’s priority:
““It’s been a long-held ambition of Chelmsford City Council to bring Dovedale up to the standards of our other leisure centres and it’s important that, now it’s happening, residents have their say.
Councillor Natacha Dudley, Cabinet Member for an Active Chelmsford
“This exciting project will grant the local community, and college students who use the centre, access to great facilities. We also want it to motivate new customers to join; to encourage more of Chelmsford’s residents to be active and healthy. So, whether you’re an ourChelmsford member or not, we want to hear from you. Let us know what you want to see from the revamped Dovedale Leisure Centre.”
Taking part in the consultation is easy – just complete a simple online survey, accessible here. The survey asks about how you would like to use the centre, from the hours you’re most likely to visit to which facilities you’d like to use. It also asks about which new classes you would most like to see available, including specialist options, such as pre- and post-natal classes, parent and toddler sessions, and classes for over 50s. It should take around 10 minutes to complete.
New opening hours confirmed
When the leisure centre opens in the new year, extended opening hours will allow for increased public use of the gym and exercise studios, with an expanded class timetable, including mid-week morning classes.
The new opening hours for Dovedale Leisure Centre will be:
During college term-time:
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: 6.30am-12pm and 5pm-11pm
- Wednesdays and Fridays: 6.30am-12pm and 5pm-10pm
- Saturdays: 7am-7pm
- Sundays: 7am-9pm
Out of term-time:
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: 6.30am-11pm
- Wednesdays and Fridays: 6.30am-10pm
- Saturdays: 7am-7pm
- Sundays: 7am-9pm
Project running on time and on budget
Work on the centre began in June this year and is making excellent progress.
Great progress is being made on the refurbishment and remodelling project. Clockwise from top left: The centre’s changing area; studio space; entrance; and gym, all before and during works.
Project partners Ingleton Wood LLP and Stroods Specialist Contractors are leading the refurbishment and remodelling, which will deliver the following upgrades:
- Expanded and fully refurbished gym, with new equipment
- Fully refurbished studio space and a new additional studio
- Refreshed sports hall
- Two refreshed squash courts
- Extension to form a new welcoming reception area
- Refurbished and remodelled changing facilities and toilets
- New AV lighting and sound system throughout fitness facilities
- Energy efficiency improvements throughout the centre, including air source heat pumps, LED lighting and a new plant room
Andrew Marchant from Ingleton Wood says:
“We’re proud to be working in partnership with Chelmsford City Council and Stroods Specialist Contractors to help transform the Dovedale Sports Centre into a modern, welcoming, and energy-efficient facility that will benefit the whole community.
Andrew Marchant, Senior Associate, Building Surveyor, Ingleton Wood
"The refurbishment and remodelling not only enhance the quality and versatility of the existing leisure spaces, but also support the centre’s long-term sustainability through significant energy efficiency upgrades.
"It’s exciting to see these plans coming to life, creating a space that encourages active, healthy lifestyles for years to come."
Dovedale Leisure Centre will open in early 2026. Registration for memberships will be available from November 2025. To be the first to hear about the centre’s latest news, sign up to the Chelmsford City Sports mailing list.
The survey is open until 10 November and can be found here.
Molly writes stories about public health, community safety, leisure, community sport, parking and Chelmsford Market.