Work to start on Morpeth’s new leisure centre
05 Nov 2020 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
A turf cutting ceremony has taken place to officially mark the start of a multi-million pound scheme to transform leisure provision in Morpeth.
Work will now commence on Morpeth’s new state of the art £21 million leisure centre and community hub which is being funded by Northumberland County Council and will be built on The Terrace site on Gas House Lane.
Willmott Dixon has been appointed as the official contractor for the centre which is expected to be fully complete and open to the public in Summer 2022.
Designed by GT3 Architects, the new centre will include a six-lane swimming pool with spectator gallery, a learner pool, spa facilities, a four-court sports hall, a new 100 station fitness suite, a dedicated spinning studio, large fitness studios, a cafe area and soft play.
The plans also incorporate a new community services hub which will see the town’s library move back to its former home on Gas House Lane, a customer service centre and a new adult learning facility.
Northumberland County Councillor Jeff Watson Cabinet Member for Healthy Lifestyles said:
“This significant investment will create outstanding new facilities for the town and surrounding communities. Despite the lockdown restrictions across the country it is heartening to know that building work can continue and that work is starting on this fantastic new development.
“ The new centre will be a real asset for the town and a wonderful place, with great facilities, for residents and visitors to enjoy for many years to come.”
Ward Councillor David Bawn said: "It is amazing that despite these difficult times we are all going through, the Council is continuing to act on its commitment to the people of Morpeth and deliver this much needed new facility and we are moving into the delivery stage.
"On behalf of the people of Morpeth I would like to thank the County Council for keeping this important project on track."
The new sports complex will be run by Active Northumberland, the charitable trust that manages leisure services across the county.
Mark Warnes, Acting Chief Executive of Active Northumberland said: “One of Active Northumberand’s key aims is to get more people, of all ages involved in physical activity to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This new centre and the facilities within it have been designed with this vision in mind. There will be something for all members of the local community and we hope that it will offer opportunities for more people to be active, more often.”
Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the north, said: “We are proud to be underway on this exciting project for the people of Morpeth.
“We know the huge positive impact leisure centres have on the local communities they serve and the Morpeth centre will combine health and well-being facilities with a new community services hub, to create a space that really will bring people together.
“We believe in delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations; Morpeth Leisure Centre is a project that supports every one of those goals and we are committed to investing in local supply chain partners wherever possible as well as creating new local employment opportunities.”