Land to the rear of Falkirk Community Stadium has been recommended as the preferred location for any future Falkirk Council Leisure and Wellbeing Hub.

A report to the Council's Executive on Thursday 22 January 2026 asks councillors to agree that officers proceed with a feasibility study and develop a full business case. If approved, detailed work on feasibility, costs and delivery options would be carried out, with findings reported back to committee in 2027 to guide future decisions.

The report stresses that no budget is currently allocated for a new hub and that the funding challenge would be addressed in subsequent updates.

The proposed facility would anchor the Council's emerging 10-year Sport and Leisure Strategy and serve as the central 'hub' in the hub-and-spoke model approved in June 2024. Early scoping suggests provision could include a competition-standard pool; a separate teaching and water-play pool; a large fitness suite with studio spaces; a multi-court sports hall and specialist areas; family facilities and a health suite; and outdoor astro pitches.

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These features reflect extensive community engagement indicating strong demand for modern, inclusive and accessible facilities, with swimming and fitness ranked as top priorities. Engagement with NHS Forth Valley, sportscotland, and national governing bodies and community trusts reinforced the importance of swimming provision and delivering facilities that support health, wellbeing and community use.

sportscotland also noted that Falkirk's location makes it a strong candidate to host regional or national events across several sports.

The stadium site has been identified as the preferred option at this stage due to its size, transport links, Council ownership and potential for partnership working. It is estimated to be within a 20-minute drive for more than 80% of Falkirk Council's population.

The report adds that focusing future capital investment on a single central hub would deliver greater long-term benefits than upgrading multiple ageing facilities. The Mariner Centre and Grangemouth Sports Complex would remain open until any new central hub is delivered.

Michael McGuinness, Head of Growth, Planning, Sport & Culture, said: "This work is about planning for the long term and using the evidence from our engagement to help shape the future of sport and leisure across the whole Falkirk Council area.

"We have identified a preferred site for any future central hub and if Councillors agree we would then properly test whether it is feasible and affordable. It is important to note that there is no budget allocated to this long-term project and that would need to be considered in any future update.

"It is now for the Executive to decide whether officers should progress with the feasibility study and then the business case and continue developing the 10-year strategy."