Image – BCP Council
Families in Boscombe are set to enjoy a brand-new soft play facility at Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre, opening at the beginning of April following extensive upgrades.
The transformation, made possible through government funding, comes in response to direct community feedback highlighting the need for affordable indoor leisure activities for young people. The investment ensures that Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre continues to serve as a vital hub for the local community.
Alongside the new soft play area, the refurbishment includes an extended café and multi-use function space, upgraded heating and ventilation systems, and improved accessibility with newly installed ramps.
In addition, an extra £100,000 has been secured from central government to install a multi-use sports floor, set for completion before April 1. This enhancement will expand the centre’s sports offerings, allowing for activities such as badminton, pickleball, and martial arts.
Currently, the centre supports more than 2,000 individuals enrolled in Adult Skills and Learning courses on the first floor, while the ground floor serves as the home base for 500 members of the internationally competitive Bournemouth Elite Cheerleaders. The refurbishment is expected to boost participation numbers, with an estimated additional 11,000 people engaging in sports and activities at the centre.
Councillor Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure, and Commercial Operations at BCP Council, expressed enthusiasm about the launch:
“I am looking forward to the opening of this brilliant new facility in Kings Park – delivered because of feedback from the local community. Thousands of people have already benefited from the support offered at Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre, and this refurbishment further demonstrates our commitment to ensuring it serves the residents and community of Boscombe, and BCP as a whole, long into the future.”
He added that the new facility, managed by BCP Leisure, will generate income that can be reinvested into the continued development of the centre.
Residents eager to experience the new offerings can book fitness classes today via the BCP Leisure app or by visiting the Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre website. The grand opening and official launch event will take place in April, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the community.
