New adventures await as work starts on exciting plans to make a popular soft play bigger and better.

Kirkby Leisure Centre’s soft play area is undergoing a revamp which will see it extended by 20 per cent with new features for Ashfield’s younger residents to explore.

The new features at the centre, run by Everyone Active on behalf Ashfield District Council, will include a foam forest, mirri maze, soft ninja, log ramp, free jump area and speed and reaction.

Work began on Friday, November 7 and is due to be completed on Monday, November 24.

The soft play is already a well-used part of the centre, with the improvements helping to address the needs of younger users and their families.

The work is part of a £207,000 investment by Ashfield District Council and Everyone Active. This includes the recent extension of the fitness suite by 151m, with 18 stations being added, while the building’s management system has also been upgraded.

Cllr Chris Huskinson, Ashfield District Council’s Executive Lead for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing, said:

“Our new soft play area at Kirkby Leisure Centre will be bigger and better and we can’t wait to welcome families back. The plans for the soft play look brilliant and I know that a lot of our younger residents will be pleased with it being extended and the adventures it will offer them.”

Simon Morgan, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said:

“The exciting enhancements to our state-of-the-art soft play are great news for families in the local community.

“Once complete, youngsters will have an amazing area in which to get active and boost their physical and mental wellbeing, all in a safe environment.”

Posted on 07 November 2025