Leisure centre may be replaced
ST John¹s School in Bishop Auckland will join forces with Wear Valley District Council to examine building a new leisure facility in the town under new proposals.Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre on Woodhouse Lane has reached the end of its planned life and is suffering worsening problems of dilapidation and may be replaced with a brand new complex next to St John¹s School.
When complete the project will provide an outstanding facility incorporating the pool and sports halls to serve the needs of the community, St John¹s students and other local schools.
The Wear Valley Sport Action Zone is funding feasibility work within Bishop Auckland that has shown there is a need to re-focus investment in sports in the area and to develop a sustainable strategy for the Leisure Centre .
The decision to work with St John¹s School was made due to the location of the school and the availability of land in that area.
Barbara Millns, Sports Action Zone Manager with Wear Valley District Council, said: ³This is the dawn of a new era for joint working between the school and the Council.² The school has had experience of working successfully with building contractors having recently undergone an £8m refurbishment.
Headteacher at the school Frank O¹Neill said: ³The long term outcome of the study will promote healthy living both in the school and within the local community.² ³Students have proven to be much more positive in recent years in terms of engaging in sport and we are convinced that any new facility will also mean a wider variety of people are encouraged to make use of the leisure centre.² The District Council is planning a full consultation with the local residents as the plans progress.
It is hoped work will start by the end of the year and be finished by 2009.