Essential maintenance underway at Mountbatten Leisure Centre

UPDATED WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2025 at 12:15pm

Last year, Portsmouth City Council launched a £6.6 million project to replace the Mountbatten Leisure Centre’s roof and carry out essential maintenance and repairs.

Carried out by specialist contractors, the project is being phased to minimise disruption to public health and wellbeing services.

In March 2025, the Mountbatten Leisure Centre’s Terrace Café, function room, and soft play facilities reopened. A £25K investment from BH Live, the leisure centre’s operator, saw the café reopen with a brand-new look, feel, and modern furnishings.

A third phase of construction is currently underway. Further updates on the roof project, including the reopening of the centre’s Clip ‘N Climb attraction and squash court, are expected later this year.

The rest of the centre, including the car park, gym, main pool, changing rooms, athletics track, and velodrome are unaffected and remain open as usual.

The Mountbatten Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.

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

"The original section of the Mountbatten Centre's roof was built in the 1980s and the plant equipment and structure were no longer sustainable, so we have funded a new roof and new plant.

"We're committed to investing in sports and leisure facilities across the city. That's because we recognise that it's important to both provide more opportunities for residents to be active and live healthier, happier lifestyles and invest in our current assets to future proof them wherever it is possible to do so."

Customers are being advised of the upcoming changes. Alternative pools, gyms and classes are also available for customers to use as part of their multisite BH Live Active membership or on a pay-as-you-go basis at other local centres. Facilities vary at each centre.

See bhliveactive.org.uk or the BH Live Active app for class and activity information or ask in centre if any assistance is needed.

Frequently asked questions

Portsmouth City Council is carrying out essential maintenance and repairs to Mountbatten Leisure Centre’s main roof and plant equipment. This began in November 2023. The work is being completed in phases to minimise impact on services.

This area was built in the mid-80s and much of the plant equipment and structure are no longer sustainable. Replacing the roof and plant equipment now will ensure the centre is running as efficiently as possible and protects the longevity and future of the centre.

This investment into the city’s public health and wellbeing facilities is costing Portsmouth City Council £6.6m.

The repair to the Mountbatten Leisure Centre roof and plant was agreed in Portsmouth City Council's 2023/4 capital budget, as one of four key investments. The others being for power upgrade at the port, city centre north regeneration and transport and street environment improvements, including active travel. Other spending in the council's 2023/4 budget saw investment in schools, additional spending in Children's Social Care and Adult Social Care, doubling the tree canopy across the city, the provision of grants to families on low incomes to help with the Cost-of-Living Crisis, and investment in the seafront.

Alternative activities and classes are available at other centres including Portsmouth Tennis and Gymnastics Centre, Pyramids, Wimbledon Park Sports Centre and Charter Community Sports Centre.

Members can access hundreds of online classes, including Les Mills, via BH Live Active at Home (subject to membership type).

See the BH Live Active app or go online at bhliveactive.org.uk for more information.