Following an agreed partnership extension with Portsmouth City Council, registered charity and social enterprise BH Live has announced plans for a major £750K refurbishment at the city’s flagship leisure centre.

As part of this investment, BH Live, recently confirmed to be the future operator of a new sport and healthcare centre in Bransbury Park, will deliver a full transformation of the Mountbatten Leisure Centre’s gym and health suite changing rooms. The upgrade will include state‑of‑the‑art equipment, a redesigned layout, and a fresh, modern look to improve visitor experience, following customer and colleague feedback. The centre will additionally benefit from a fully-refurbished group cycle studio.

Other proposed investments as part of the charity’s extended partnership with Portsmouth City Council include the introduction of Reformer Pilates at the Pyramids Centre, and brand‑new changing rooms and gym equipment at Wimbledon Park Sports Centre.

These investments support BH Live’s charitable mission to improve health and wellbeing by encouraging more people across Portsmouth to get active. Further details about the Mountbatten Leisure Centre gym refurbishment, along with updates on other planned improvements, will be shared with BH Live Active members and visitors later this year.

On behalf of BH Live, Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development, shared;

“We’re thrilled to be moving ahead with the refurbishment of the Mountbatten Leisure Centre gym. This centre is at the heart of helping Portsmouth stay active, and this investment will transform the space into a modern, welcoming environment that inspires even more people to focus on their health and wellbeing.

“Our extended commitment with Portsmouth City Council means we can continue improving our leisure facilities through investments such as this. Together, we’re creating high‑quality spaces that support healthier, more active communities across the city.”

Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure, and Community Safety, said:

“The Mountbatten Leisure Centre is a flagship facility in our city, and this refurbishment will give gym users a significantly better experience. By extending our partnership with BH Live, a trusted provider, we can secure long‑term improvements and ensure that every pound generated through leisure services is reinvested back into community wellbeing. This is exactly the kind of partnership working that strengthens Portsmouth’s leisure offer for years to come.”

Located in the heart of Hilsea, the Mountbatten Leisure Centre is located just a short distance from Portsmouth’s city centre. It is equipped with a large gym with dedicated cardio and weight areas as well as multiple fitness studios where group exercise classes, including Les Mills™ Body Pump, Pilates, group cycling, and many more take place seven days a week. An outdoor velodrome and athletics track hosts regular training, events and competitions throughout the year.

There is also a 50-metre swimming pool (divided into two) and a learner pool with regular public swimming sessions, pool-based classes and lessons. The swimming pool is frequently booked for galas and competitions, including regional and national championships.

Mountbatten Leisure Centre is also home to a large pool inflatable obstacle course, AquaDash!, an indoor Clip N’ Climb, and MountAirXL, a brand-new air inflatable which launched in October 2025. These attractions are popular with young people, community groups, and are perfect for parties. Spa facilities include a sauna, spa bath and steam room.

The Mountbatten Leisure Centre is also well-known for its health and wellbeing programmes. Qualified instructors and an exercise referral team are on hand to offer guidance and support for individuals recovering from injuries or long-term health conditions.

Multi-sport activities and events are held throughout the year in partnership with local clubs and schools in the centre’s eight-court sports hall. A Terrace Café with free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility is also available on site.

Outdoors, there is an athletics track and velodrome utilised for year-round sporting events, as well as several sports pitches.

For more information about the Mountbatten Leisure Centre, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten.

More information about BH Live can be found online at bhlive.org.uk.