The Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme, which will see all secondary schools being rebuilt over the next 15 years, is having a big impact on local authority leisure provision.

New school sports facilities are increasingly being opened up to the local community, meaning that 30-40 year old sports halls are gradually becoming redundant.

Alliance Leisure has seized upon this as an opportunity for local authorities and has developed a range of innovative solutions to make better use of sports halls, providing facilities that are attractive to young people and families, including 10 pin bowling.

Although features will be determined by demand and volume analysis, common activities for conversion of an four-court sports hall could include:

• 10 pin bowling for families/all ages
• Soft play for younger children
• Children’s gym for 8 – 14 year old’s
• Crèche
• Party room
• Café/bowling control area