Wealden Community Sports Hub

Now Open!

Visit us at Wealden Community Sports Hub, New North Street, Hailsham, BN27 4GF (located north of Hailsham, near the Boship Roundabout along the A267).

The Wealden Community Sports Hub is now open and providing high-quality sport, play and recreation facilities for residents, clubs, schools and community organisations across Hailsham, Hellingly and the wider Wealden district. The Hub includes football pitches, netball and tennis courts, padel courts, a skate park, children's play area, community café, meeting space and modern changing facilities.

The Hub has been developed by Wealden District Council in partnership with a wide range of organisations and shaped by extensive community engagement. This page explains how the project was developed, how local people helped shape its design, and the journey from the initial proposal to the completed facility.

Looking to book a facility?

The Wealden Community Sports Hub is now operated by Leisure United in partnership with Wealden District Council. For bookings, opening hours, activities and day-to-day enquiries, please visit the Leisure United website or contact the Hub team directly on the contact information below. To register to use the facilities at the hub, follow the step-by-step guidance in this Registration How-to Video and you can go directly to Leisure United’s website and create your account here. Padel courts can be booked directly through Playtomic.

Email: info.wealden@leisureunited.com

Phone: 01323 302304

A Community-Shaped Project

The Wealden Community Sports Hub is the result of several years of evidence gathering, planning, partnership working and community engagement.

The project began when studies into leisure provision and outdoor sports facilities identified a need for additional sports and recreation facilities across the district. Engagement with local clubs, governing bodies, schools, community organisations, town and parish councils and residents reinforced this need and helped shape a vision for a modern community sports destination that would serve both current and future generations.

From the outset, the Council committed to developing a facility that reflected the needs and aspirations of local people. In 2021, more than 600 responses were received during a district-wide public consultation, supported by stakeholder meetings, community engagement and discussions with sports organisations. The feedback demonstrated strong support for the project while also helping to shape the facilities and wider design of the site.

As proposals developed, engagement continued through public exhibitions, meetings with local clubs and organisations, discussions with accessibility groups, consultation with children and families on the play area, and engagement with young people and skate park users. This ongoing dialogue helped ensure the final scheme reflected both strategic need and the practical needs of the communities who would use it.

The result is a facility shaped by evidence, investment and the feedback and priorities of our local residents and organisations. Today, the Hub provides opportunities for organised sport, informal recreation, play, health and wellbeing activities, and community activity.

You Said, We Did

Throughout the project, feedback from residents, clubs and community groups directly influenced the design and facilities provided.

You said: We need more year-round football facilities

We delivered: Two floodlit full-size 3G football pitches with modern changing facilities to support grassroots football throughout the year.

You said: Better netball and court facilities are needed.

We delivered: Four dual-use floodlit netball and tennis courts to support clubs, casual users and community activity.

You said: We want places to walk, cycle and be active outside organised sport.

We delivered: Active travel routes, cycle facilities and an informal walking and running route around the site.

You said: Families wanted somewhere to meet and spend time together

We delivered: A community café, meeting and community space, seating areas and landscaped public spaces throughout the Hub.

You said: Children's play facilities should be varied, inclusive and accessible for children of different ages and abilities.

We delivered: A destination play area shaped by consultation with local children and families, featuring climbing, swinging, balancing and other inclusive play opportunities, alongside quieter spaces, inclusive design features and equipment, accessible routes and a Changing Places facility.

You said: The skate park should be designed with input from users.

We delivered: A skate park revised following detailed in person workshops with design changes and features directly requested by local riders and wheeled sport users.

You said: Sustainability should be a priority

We delivered: Solar-panel canopies, EV charging infrastructure, air source heat pumps, biodiversity improvements, extensive planting and enhanced walking and cycling connections.

Facilities Delivered

The completed Hub provides:

• Two floodlit full-size 3G football pitches
• Four dual-use floodlit netball and tennis courts
• Two padel courts
• A skate park
• Children's play area
• Outdoor table tennis facilities
• Sports pavilion
• Community café
• Meeting and community room
• Modern changing facilities
• Public toilets including a Changing Places facility
• Walking and active travel routes
• EV charging infrastructure and sustainable site features

Site Plan

The Wealden Community Sports Hub is the result of several years of planning, evidence gathering, partnership working and community engagement. The facility provides new opportunities for sport, recreation and community use across the district. We would like to thank everyone who contributed feedback and participated in the consultation and engagement that helped shape the project.