North Warwickshire Borough Council has taken another important step closer to achieving its goal of replacing the Atherstone Leisure Centre and Memorial Hall with a brand-new facility.
The Council’s Community & Environment Board considered a comprehensive report which set out several design concepts for a new leisure centre. There was overwhelming support for a design which will include facilities such as a new swimming pool, learner pool, state-of-the-art gym, a room for fitness classes, community space, adventure play area and a cafe. Councillors were asked to describe what the new facility should aspire to be. Councillors want it to be welcoming, to create a sense of pride for residents and to appeal to everyone, especially older people and young families.
The new building will sit in a similar location as the existing leisure centre, and the new facility will face onto an attractive public space leading from Long Street to the new entrance.
AtkinsRealis are a company that will manage the specialists for the new design programme to ensure that the work is delivered on time and within budget, and work with the Council to appoint and manage the construction contractor.
The Council has been developing its ideas for a new leisure centre, as the existing Atherstone Leisure Centre and Memorial Hall are at the end of their economic life. They have served the community well for over fifty years, but now the Council is looking forward to the next five decades. Plans for the new centre will be made public soon as the design takes shape.
Dean Williams, Regional Director for AtkinsRealis said:
“I’m thrilled to enter into partnership with North Warwickshire Borough Council, and I look forward to us working together to deliver a brand-new facility in Atherstone”.
Chair of Community and Environment Board, Margaret Bell, said:
“We are very proud of this project and delighted to announce our partnership with AtkinsRealis. It will be an impressive, state-of-the-art facility which will offer so much to the people of North Warwickshire and their families, helping to improve health and wellbeing for many generations to come.”
Leader of the Council, Councillor David Wright said:
“It’s truly exciting that AtkinsRealis gets to play a leading role in bringing this project to life. Building this cutting-edge facility should inspire generations to come, offering a safe, community-centred space that helps people get active through diverse sports and leisure activities”