An ambitious initiative to track the progress and development of the UK sports & leisure centre over the last six decades has won support from a number of key industry bodies ahead of a key consulting session next month.

The Sports Leisure Legacy Project – titled ‘Harlow to K2 and Beyond’ – will paint the picture of leisure centre progression from the UK’s first community sports centre which opened in Harlow in 1959, right through to the landmark K2 Crawley Leisure Centre. The story will be presented through a website due to launch at the end of 2015, showcasing the history of the UK sports and leisure centre over six decades, as well as the people, places and processes involved.

CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity), CLOA (Chief Leisure Officers Association), SPORTA (the national association of leisure and cultural trusts) and The Sport+Recreation Alliance have all thrown their weight behind the project, which is an entirely voluntary initiative by past and present sports and leisure managers and directors. It is also being sponsored by specialist leisure architecture practice S+P – the firm behind K2 Crawley.

Next month (17 July) will see the staging of the The Sports Leisure Legacy Project Consultation Forum & Seminar at the Freedom Leisure-operated K2 Crawley. The day will see a wide range of professionals contribute to and review the potential ingredients of the full story. The Forum will also include several industry-related presentations and a guided tour of K2.

“It is important that we capture the whole story up to today’s developments whilst first-hand information from 1959 onwards is still available,” said leader of the project Gerry Carver.

“We also aim to draw out lessons and pointers for the future in a rapidly changing world.”

For project information or to contribute to the story contact Gerry Carver:

Email: [email protected] Tel: 01903 779933