Wealden Community Sports Hub
The Wealden Community Sports Hub is a new sports and recreational facility located north of Hailsham, near the Boship Roundabout along the A267.
Working with partners, local people and groups, the £16.7m project has been co-designed by the community to help people enjoy active lifestyles, connect with others and feel the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Visitors to the Hub will have access to high-quality, inclusive and accessible sport and recreation facilities.
Background
Through on-going community and partnership engagement, it became clear that there is a significant shortage of 3G pitches and community-use tennis and netball courts across the district. This feedback was reinforced by our Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy, which identified that the existing facilities didn’t meet current and future demand.
To better understand the barriers to local provision and ensure the development reflected community needs, further consultation was undertaken with residents, sports clubs, schools and key partners. This engagement played a vital role in shaping the design and mix of facilities.
We committed £13.2 million towards the project, supported by a £3.5 million grant from the Football Foundation. This investment demonstrates a shared commitment to improving access to high-quality sports facilities and creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to lead more active lifestyles.
Without this development, we would be unable to meet the growing demand for community sports and leisure provision. As a result, opportunities to increase participation, improve physical and mental wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities would be limited.
Objectives and outcomes
The Wealden Community Sports Hub was created to provide residents with affordable access to high-quality sports and leisure facilities in a welcoming and inclusive environment. By increasing access to modern, high-quality facilities, the Sports Hub supports healthier lifestyles, encourages lifelong participation in sport, and helps strengthen community connections.
Located on the outskirts of Hailsham, where health and social inequalities are particularly prevalent, the hub plays a vital role in supporting healthier, more resilient and connected communities. The location helps to remove barriers to participation, providing opportunities for individuals and families who may otherwise have limited access to sport and physical activity.
Through targeted programming and strong partnerships with local clubs, schools, community organisations and national governing bodies, the hub offers a wide range of activities designed to meet the needs of the local community. A key priority is ensuring that opportunities are accessible to everyone, with a particular focus on engaging underrepresented groups, including women and girls, people from ethnically diverse communities, disabled people, older adults, and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
Project delivery & key stages
The Project has followed the Royal Institute of British Architect (RIBA) stages of work.
Planning & Design (RIBA Stages 0–4)
The Wealden Community Sports Hub was designed with local people at its heart. Extensive consultation with residents, clubs and stakeholders helped shape the final design, ensuring the facilities reflected the needs and aspirations of the community.
The completed hub features a community café and changing facilities, two artificial grass pitches, two multi-use games areas (MUGAs), two padel courts, a skate and play park, a walking and running trail, solar carports and EV charging.
Community feedback also led to a number of important design improvements, including increased privacy for neighbouring homes, reduced light spill and enhanced accessibility, making the site more welcoming and inclusive for everyone. Sustainability has been a key priority throughout, with renewable energy, waste minimisation and support for active travel embedded in the design.
Construction (RIBA Stage 5)
Construction began in September 2024. During the project, archaeological constraints and periods of adverse weather threatened to cause significant delays to the programme. However, the construction programme was successfully re-sequenced to minimise disruption and maintain progress. This proactive approach ensured that key milestones continued to be met, enabling the project to be completed on schedule in July 2026 and allowing the new facilities to open to the community as planned.
Handover (RIBA Stages 6–7)
Following handover to Leisure United, the Wealden Community Sports Hub officially opened in August 2026. Since opening, it has quickly become a vibrant community destination, welcoming local clubs, schools, community groups and residents to enjoy its wide range of high-quality sports and leisure facilities.
We will continue to oversee the final defects rectification period, working closely with the contractor and operator to ensure any outstanding issues are resolved promptly and that the highest standards of quality, safety and performance are maintained.
Impact for local football
- The Hub will support midweek training activities for 10 grassroots clubs with 133 current teams
- A minimum of 25% of peak time slots are dedicated to women and girls (Mon-Fri, 5-9pm inclusive)
- The Hub will host participation programmes of Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation including:
- U7 – U16 Development Centre (mixed)
- U8 – U14 Girls Pathway Centre
- Recreational social sessions each week for men and women via Football For All, Gals FC, and a ‘Keep Fitters’ over 30s group.
- Informal pay & play / kickabout sessions each day of the week for juniors (including girls only)
- 28 full-pitch hours each weekend for matchplay – accommodating c. 60 grassroots fixtures each week from mini soccer to open age.
- New home to three Women’s Flex-League Teams (Heathfield & Horam, Pevensey & Westham, and Eastbourne)
Impact for local netball
- The Hub will host Boost Netball on three evenings each week and Saturday mornings, with sessions for U10s–adults, men, mixed and walking netball.
- Eastbourne Netball League will use the site on two evenings each week, including juniors, back 2 netball and adult league
Impact for local economy
- The Wealden Community Sports Hub has created 14 new jobs locally, totalling 312 hours of work per week.
- The facility is run by a not-for-profit organisation with surplus income being reinvested back into grassroots football in the District estimated at an average of £40-£50k annually.
Impact for local community
This project has supported local communities through donations of materials, sponsorship of local sports teams, support for community facilities, and contributions to local organisations.
The project benefitted the local economy by using local suppliers, mentoring small businesses, engaging with local schools, creating employment opportunities, and supporting trainee roles.
The solar car ports also allow it to avoid emissions associated with diesel generator use.
“ I just wanted to say how wonderful the new sports hub is – I’m genuinely so impressed with what’s been created. It was fantastic to have a sneak peek and see first-hand all the hard work that’s gone into it. I’m really excited for the opening and for the opportunities it will bring, especially for the netball community in Wealden. It has so much potential to become a real focal point for the sport and to help it grow even further in the area.”