Another milestone has been reached on the construction of the new Morpeth Leisure Centre which is still on track to open to the public in early 2023. 
 

The main swimming pool has now been filled with water – a total of 450,000 litres – which took five days to fill. 
 

Work will soon turn to laying the wooden, sprung floor of the four-court sports hall.  
 

Meanwhile, resurfacing and realignment of the kerbs is currently being carried out along Gas House Lane. 
 

This week county councillors, members of Morpeth Forum, and officers from Active Northumberland paid a visit to the site to have a look at the progress that has been made on the £21million county council funded leisure centre and community hub. 
 

Contractors Willmott Dixon are now in week 91 of a 100-week programme. The impressive exterior of the building is complete, and the focus is now on making the internal finishes such as flooring, lighting and paintwork. 
 

After this, the centre will be handed over to Active Northumberland and Northumberland County Council to install the fitness equipment and the hub furniture and fittings. 
 

Northumberland County Councillor Jeff Watson, cabinet member for healthy lives said: 

“We are extremely proud to be delivering this outstanding facility and It is great to see such good progress and this incredible building nearing completion.” 
 

“As a council we have committed to the biggest spend on leisure services ever in Northumberland, with the work we have done here in Morpeth, the new sports centres in Ponteland and Berwick and major refurbishment schemes at Blyth and Newbiggin. “  
 
“Our aim is to provide  the very best activities, equipment and experiences for the people of Northumberland to be active, have fun and to enhance their health and wellbeing.” 
 

The new leisure centre will incorporate a six-lane swimming pool with spectator gallery, a learner pool, spa facilities, a four-court sports hall, a new 100 station gym, a dedicated spinning studio, two fitness studios, a cafe area and soft play.  
 

It will 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 with classrooms for STEM learning and catering 
 

Local ward member Councillor David Bawn added: 

“The centre looks impressive from the outside, and inside you can really see it starting to take shape. The contractors have done an outstanding job. The quality and breadth of facilities it will have to offer is fantastic for our town and surrounding communities.” 
 

Mark Warnes, chief executive of Active Northumberland added: 

“It has been very exciting to watch this wonderful centre develop and to see the amazing transformation. We want residents to know that it is a facility that will welcome and support everyone - whatever their age. It is inclusive and accessible to all.” 
 

The new centre has been designed by GT3 Architects. Willmott Dixon is the official contractor and Advance Northumberland is overseeing the project management.