Serving up a treat for swimmers in Tynedale
21/08/2008
An ultra modern, stylish new swimming pool development due to open at Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham will be serving up a veritable feast of leisure and fitness activities for customers of all interests, ages and abilities.
Tynedale Council has splashed out on a multi million pound swimming extension to the leisure centre and improvements to the existing building, which will all open to the public at 9am on Thursday 28th August.
On offer will be top quality facilities including a 25 metre six lane swimming pool, a 15 metre studio pool, fun and splash areas, a spacious state of the art gym providing 40% more cardiovascular equipment and 10% more resistance equipment compared to the centre’s previous gym, and a new café and reception area.
A covered area outside on the ground floor will enable spectators to watch athletics and other outdoor activities at the centre – with displaced outdoor changing facilities also re-provided.
The pool facilities replace the town’s outdated swimming pool on Gilesgate, which was opened in 1974. The new pool is one of the last major development projects for Tynedale Council – and has been delivered on time and within budget. The building will be managed by local charity North Country Leisure (NCL) Tynedale.
Leader of Tynedale Council, Councillor Harold Forster, said:“We are so pleased with this fantastic new building – which is a product of the council’s vision for leisure in the district, and came about as a result of widespread consultation with the community about exactly what is wanted and needed. We have designed the services and facilities with this closely in mind, so are confident that it will match requirements. We hope that customers will have a lot of fun and enjoyment, and also that the provision will promote wide ranging health benefits.”
Rob Lewis, vice-chairman of North Country Leisure (NCL) Tynedale added: “We think everybody will love using this attractive high quality building, and the much improved existing facilities. We will be open over 100 hours a week to offer all sorts of enjoyable activities, and look forward to welcoming all customers to the “new” Wentworth”
Tynedale Council has funded the design and construction of the new pool building and repairs and improvements to the existing leisure centre. The £10 million project comprises around £8 million on the pool development, just under £1 million on the existing leisure centre and £1 million in fees, surveys, equipment and other costs.
Contributions have also been received from Sport England, One North East/ Northumberland Strategic Partnership, Arts Council England North East, Egger UK and Tynedale Amateur Swimming Club to support the development.
Judith Rasmussen Regional Director of Sport England commented: "Sport England is delighted to support the new pool in Hexham, which makes Wentworth Leisure Centre a very exciting facility for the town. The new development provides residents with a much needed state of the art facility which we are sure it will be a success, and we hope that the community takes advantage of it."
Cutting edge technology means that the building is powered by renewable energy features which reduce the centre’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The 540KW biomass boiler is fired by burning woodchip from local forests and heats not only the swimming pool but hot water for washing and the central heating system. Solar panels on the roof heat the water for the swimming pool.
One NorthEast/Northumberland Strategic Partnership have provided funding for the biomass boiler. One NorthEast’s biofuels energy specialist, Chris Maxwell, said: “Biomass is a young, growing market, likely to become increasingly important as we move to a low-carbon economy and with organisations and consumers looking for alternative methods of heat and power as energy prices continue to rise. Tynedale has led the way on showing how biomass can be used by communities and the new pool is another example of how this technology can be effective in a really energy-intensive environment, used by many thousands of people.
Artist Katayoun Dowlatshahi was commissioned to design an integral glass commission for the new pool which was part funded by Commissions North, part of Arts Council England, North East.
Local chipboard manufacturer Egger UK has provided materials for the reception desk, servery counter, fitness desk and office furniture.
The pool development has been designed by GLR Architects and the main contractor is Sir Robert McAlpine. Hall & Partners have been project managers, CDM coordinator and contract administrators and other companies that make up the design team are Building Services Partnership Limited, Furness Partnership and Sheerwater Limited. Hicktons has provided clerk of works services.
The new facilities are in addition to the other popular activities on offer at the centre, which include a wide variety of fitness classes, indoor bowls centre, sports hall and Jungle Jacks children’s play area.
