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Mixed reaction to
leisure centre plan
PLANS for a £13m leisure centre for Rushden and the surrounding area have been met with mixed reviews.
The leisure centre is to be developed at Manor Park, and will replace existing facilities at the Splash Leisure Pool in Station Road and Pemberton Centre in H E Bates Way, which are in need of upgrading.
East Northamptonshire Council, working in partnership with Rushden Town Council, aims to provide residents with access to a range of modern, high quality leisure facilities.
These will include a six-lane 25-metre swimming pool and teaching pool, a four-court sports hall, dance and exercise studios and health and fitness suite.
But despite the 13m investment in the town, concerns have been raised by those who use the current facilities.
Members of the Rushden Amateur Theatrical Society, who use the Pemberton Centre for their bi-annual shows, fear that when the centre is replaced they will have nowhere to perform.
Russell Green, publicity officer for the group, said: “We are concerned because so far there is nothing to say a theatre is going to be built.
“We use one of the halls at the Pemberton Centre for our shows and if that goes, there is no where else in Rushden we can hold them.
“A theatre needs to be on the plans.”
Members of Rushden Swimming Club, which uses the Splash Pool, were thrilled to hear about the plans.
Publicity officer Steve Yarwood said the club already has a six-lane swimming pool and teaching pool so this is the minimum they would expect to be updated.
Mr Yarwood said: “I would like to see the design to find out what is available and we will definitely be at the consultation.”
The project team has now begun working with East Northamptonshire Council on an outline design for the new leisure centre.
A series of consultation events will be held in the autumn to give local residents and businesses the opportunity to provide feedback on the designs for the new facilities.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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