More than 1,000 residents around Woodley have given their views on plans for a £1 million expansion to a local leisure centre - which could get underway next year. 

A swimming pool, American football, and climbing wall facilities were among the most popular improvements requested by residents as Woodley Town Council looks to improve Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Haddon Drive. 

More than 40 per cent of the 1,077 residents responding to a councils survey said that their number one request was a swimming pool. 

But councillors at a recent leisure services committee have said the cost of installing and running a pool were "prohibitive," with no suitable location or space currently at the leisure centre for a pool without developing on the park. 

The council is now looking to contract an architect for the plans, focusing on the inclusion of a café, dedicated exercise studio space, soft play area, and splash pad - and ensuring parking capacity is taken into consideration.

Woodley Town Council leader Keith Baker said the expansion would be financed through a new loan as the council completes payments on existing borrowing for the creation of the Oakwood Centre event space in Headley Road. 

"I can see it being £1 million - but it could be much higher," Cllr Baker said about the proposed leisure centre development. 

He added: "The reason we wanted to do this is because the leisure centre is incredibly successful and the profit we get from it we can reinvest into the town."

The leisure centre's net number of gym members has increased over the summer, with more than 1,426 transactions for family racket sessions across the summer months - nearly 400 more than in 2023.

Cllr Baker said the decision to move forward with the Woodford Park Leisure Centre expansion would be made by February 2025. 

Building work underway "the back end" of 2025, according to the council leader. 

 The centre currently features a five court sports hall, state of the art 3G sports pitch, outdoor tennis court, and an outdoor paddling pool.

The centre was previously closed in 2022 to undergo electrical renovation works.