A new look at £22m proposals for a leisure centre in the outer west of Newcastle has been unveiled.
The major redevelopment project was given a huge kickstart last year, with a massive cash injection from the government’s Levelling Up Fund confirmed by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
A flythrough video released by Newcastle City Council and architects Faulkner Browns now gives a new glimpse at how the new facility could look.
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It will feature a 25m swimming pool, plus two other smaller pools, and a range of other facilities including a cafe, gym, library, and sports hall.
The new concept art clip also shows a climbing wall at the centre, which would replace the existing West Denton Leisure Centre and neighbouring pool.
There was a major outcry after the current swimming pool was left closed by operator GLL, having first been shut at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Both it and the other existing facilities in West Denton Way would be demolished to make way for the replacement, which it is hoped can be open in 2024.
The government has stipulated that the £19.8m it has offered to pay for the bulk of the project must be spent by March 31, 2024, meaning council officials are hoping for rapid progress that would see planning permission secured and building work start by the end of this year.
Labour councillor Irim Ali, the city council’s cabinet member for community services and public engagement, said the site will be “one of the biggest investments in West Denton for many years”.
The local authority, which will contribute up to £2.5m alongside GLL to the build, has launched a public consultation on the new designs ahead of a planning application being submitted in March.
Coun Ali said: “We have begun a series of consultation events with residents and will be extending these over the coming days with other interested parties such as schools, sports clubs, and residents’ associations - but we want to know the views of anyone who is interested.
“That is why we have distributed a leaflet through 10,000 doors showing people how they can get involved. Anyone who has not received a leaflet can fill out a survey and contribute their ideas by visiting letstalknewcastle.co.uk/consultations/320/participate.
“We are also promoting the consultation on the council’s social media channels, surveys will be in libraries and questions and comments can be sent to Freepost Let’s Talk.
“Once complete, all comments will be analysed and fed into the planning application that is expected to be submitted to the council in March.
"It will then be subject to the rigours of the planning process and go before planning committee later this year.
“Work on the site will begin and we expect the building will be opened in 2024.”
