Houghton Regis Leisure and Community Centre turns New Years resolutions into year-round habits

This week she joined fitness leaders to launch a special New Year push. The plan is to help even more Houghton Regis residents catch the fitness bug and turn healthy new year resolutions into lasting habits.

A special £1 sign-up offer is helping to make that first step even easier. New joiners are offered an induction, encouraged to join instructor-led classes with a follow-up scheduled in.

The modern leisure centre, which opened in March 2025 replacing the former Recreation Road site, now boasts more than double the membership of its predecessor. People of all ages have visited over 400,000 times since the centre opened, again more than 50 percent higher than the previous year’s figures.

Houghton Regis’s MP Alex Mayer also found out more about the centre’s wider role in the community from centre manager Gareth Hunt. Houghton Regis Primary School pupils are regular visitors, and the centre works closely with the NHS to boost wellbeing and get more people active, in turn helping to reduce pressure on frontline services.

Local MP Alex Mayer said: “With these bright, modern and airy facilities, it’s no wonder more and more people are coming through the doors. There are three swimming pools, a gym packed with modern equipment, a cycling studio, squash courts, you name it. It really does have everything you need if getting and staying active is one of your New Year’s resolutions.”

Huw Edwards, UK Active CEO, added: “It is great to see Alex Mayer MP at Houghton Regis Leisure and Community Centre which is working tirelessly to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of the local community. This month we will see a surge of new members who are looking to make lifestyle changes that better their health and wellbeing. Our nation’s gyms, pools and leisure centres are ready to meet this demand and welcome both returning and new members with the support they need to live healthier, more active lives.”