Wakefield Council providing Aspire health and fitness facilities and provision across the district.
Aspire is Wakefield Council's Sport and Active Lifestyles service and offers swimming, fitness classes, fitness suites, school holiday activity programmes. A variety of clubs and coaching sessions also run at venues across the Wakefield District. The service also offers the Aspire health and fitness membership.
22/08/2026
🌞 Aspire Bank Holiday Opening Hours – Monday 31 August 2026
Planning to stay active this Bank Holiday? Here's everything you need to know! 💪
✅ Open 9:00am – 4:00pm
📍 Minsthorpe
📍 Sun Lane
📍 Aspire @ The Park
❌ Closed
📍 Featherstone
📍 Thornes
📍 Normanton
For timetables and more information, visit:
www.wakefield.gov.uk/aspire
Have a great Bank Holiday and thank you for choosing Aspire! 💙
14/08/2026
📢 Tomorrow at Thornes Park - The Inclusion Festival is Here! 🌟
Looking for something FREE fun, active and inclusive to do tomorrow? Join us at the Inclusion Festival at Thornes Park, where people of all ages and abilities can come together to try new activities, meet local clubs and organisations, and discover exciting opportunities available across Wakefield District.
Welcoming disabled people, neurodivergent people and anyone with additional support needs 💙 There really is something for everyone!
Come and have a go at:
⚽ Football
🏉 Rugby & Wheelchair Rugby
🏏 VI Cricket
🥊 Boxing
🏃 Athletics
🏑 Hockey
🎾 Tennis
🏓 Table Tennis
🥒 Pickleball
🏀 Wheelchair Basketball
🚴 Cycling
🎯 Boccia
👁️ Goalball
Plus:
🏋️ Gym activities
🎲 Fun games and challenges
☕ Coffee cart refreshments
🤝 Information and support from local clubs and organisations
Whether you're looking to get active, build confidence, make new friends, find a new hobby, or simply enjoy a great day out with the family, the Inclusion Festival is a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone can take part at their own pace.
✅ Free to attend
✅ Family friendly
✅ Inclusive and accessible
✅ No experience needed
📍 Thornes Park
📅 Tomorrow
🌈 Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs. Everyone can take part.
Come along, have a go, and discover the fantastic inclusive opportunities available right here in Wakefield District.
14/08/2026
📢 Sun Lane Timetable Update - This Weekend
Please note the following changes to our swimming timetable at Sun Lane Leisure:
🏊 Saturday & Sunday 2:30pm to 4:00pm Fun Session has been replaced with a Public Swim Session.
👶 Adult & Toddler Swim The session scheduled for 10:15am to 11:45am has been cancelled.
All changes have been updated on our online timetable. Please check before travelling.
Thank you for your understanding.
11/08/2026
Due to the race day at Pontefract Racecourse, Aspire @ The Park will be closed all day on Sunday 16th August. The facility will reopen as usual the following day.
We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
Want to plan ahead? Click here for all the race day closures this year - https://campaign.emailblaster.cloud/MTkwMDg/215.html
Thank you for your understanding!
07/08/2026
🚨Minsthorpe Leisure - Update Monday 10th August🚨
The centre is now operating as usual. Thank you for your patience.
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Due to a major Virgin Media outage affecting Minsthorpe Leisure Centre, our phones, card payment machines and WiFi are currently unavailable.
Cash payments only can be accepted at this time.
We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience while the issue is resolved. Please bear with us and we will provide updates as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding.
🏃♀️ From Thornes Park Stadium to HYROX Europe 💪
What starts as a training session can become something extraordinary.
Over the past year, we've seen Aspire members and colleagues push themselves further than they thought possible through our HYROX training sessions at Thornes Park Stadium.
Now, several of our HYROX trainees are taking their training to the next level and competing on some of the biggest HYROX stages across Europe.
👏 Good luck to:
🇪🇸 Nick & N**s competing in Barcelona
🇬🇧 John Gallagher competing in London
🇪🇸 Ella Willmott (Aspire member and Casual Fitness Coach) competing in Valencia
🇬🇧 Josh Foster & Terel Williams competing in London
These athletes represent what the Aspire community is all about: commitment, consistency and supporting each other to achieve ambitious goals.
A huge thank you also goes to our fantastic Fitness Coaches at Thornes Park Stadium, whose knowledge, encouragement and HYROX sessions have helped participants build their strength, fitness and confidence to become race-ready.
Whether you're aiming for your first fitness challenge, looking to improve your overall health, or dream of competing in HYROX yourself, Thornes Park Stadium is the place to start.
💥 Train with us. 💥 Challenge yourself. 💥 Join the growing HYROX community at Aspire.
www.wakefield.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/leisure-centres-and-facilities/thornes-park-stadium
We'll be following our competitors' journeys and sharing their progress as they prepare for race day, so keep an eye on our channels and help us cheer them on!
03/08/2026
🚧 Exciting Changes Are Coming to Aspire @ Thornes Park Stadium! 🚧
We're delighted to be part of Wakefield Council's investment in health and wellbeing, with major improvements coming to your fitness facility, including:
✨ A brand new gym with all-new equipment
🔥 A dedicated HYROX training area
🏢 A refreshed reception area
🚿 Modernised changing rooms
Phase 1 starts on Monday 3 August and will focus mainly on cosmetic improvements to the current walkway area, meaning there will be minimal disruption to members and users.
We can't wait to share the transformation with you.
Watch this space for regular updates! 💙
Wakefield Council
01/08/2026
Due to the race day at Pontefract Racecourse, Aspire @ The Park will be closed from 11:30am on Wednesday 5th August. The facility will reopen as usual the following day.
We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
Want to plan ahead? Click here for all the race day closures this year - https://campaign.emailblaster.cloud/MTkwMDg/215.html
Thank you for your understanding!
31/07/2026
AUGUST SWIMTAG CHALLENGE – THE 16.22 KM RACE!
Ready to take on your next swimming challenge? This August, race your way through 16.22 km and see if you can be the first to reach the finish line!
🏊♂️ Join us from 1st–31st August 2026 and compete against fellow swimmers in this exciting individual challenge.
📏 That's just 3661 m per week to stay on track.
Swim it your way: fast, steady, or social.
⏱️ You'll be ranked by how many days it takes you to complete the full 16.22 km, so plan your swims carefully and keep moving towards the finish!
Available at all Aspire Pools – ask a member of staff for details.
22/07/2026
🔔UPDATE - Sun Lane Studio Pool - OPEN
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🔔 Studio Pool Closure Notice – Sun Lane Leisure
Unfortunately, the Studio Pool at Sun Lane Leisure is closed for the rest of today due to a technical issue.
Our team is working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible, and we are hoping the pool will re-open tomorrow morning as planned.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Please check our social media channels for any further updates.