£25 MILLION LEISURE CENTRE NOW GROWING OUT OF THE GROUND
Harlow's exciting new £25 million community sports and leisure centre is coming closer to completion day by day and, for anyone passing the site, there has been a noticeable change. With much of the groundworks completed over the winter, contractor Leadbitter has started work on the steel structure and the building's steel skeleton is taking shape.
The centre, due to open in Autumn 2009, will provide top-notch sporting and leisure facilities for the people of Harlow and the neighbouring area. The existing sportcentre in Hammarskjold Road will remain open until the new one is complete.
The new leisure centre has been listed in the London 2012 Olympic Pre-Games Training Camp Guide, which means athletes from all over the world could be helping to put Harlow on the map by preparing for the Olympics in the town.
Harlow is one of just 65 elite venues in the East of England and one of 600 across the UK, to feature in the guide.
The new development is one of the Harlow Gateway Partnership's flagship projects. The £50m Gateway regeneration initiative is providing local people with brand new homes together with new and improved sports and leisure facilities.
Located adjacent to Harlow College, the three-storey complex will feature an impressive eight lane, 25 metre swimming pool, and a second, three lane, 20 metre learner pool. It will also host a variety of high standard facilities, including three covered tennis courts, eight badminton courts and a gym - in addition to a sports hall that will double as a venue for big-ticket conferences, concerts and exhibitions.
The centre will boast extensive health and fitness facilities, a members' bar/lounge, nursery and one-stop health shop. It will also be home to ‘Science Alive', a hands-on science and technology learning centre for children and adults. A 510-space car park and landscaping will complete the development. Leadbitter Construction won the contract to deliver the new sports and leisure center and work began in September, last year.
A Harlow Gateway spokesman said: "When it is open, the sports and leisure centre will be one of the most modern facilities in the East of England Region - it will be really special. This is something that has now been acknowledged by its inclusion in the official London 2012 Olympic guide. As the steel skeleton for the new leisure centre takes shape, you can see the physical signs of what the Gateway project is all about. It has already delivered the first in a series of new homes, a new football stadium, and a new athletics track. These are bringing a tangible boost to Harlow and, with plenty more still to come, there's a real reason to celebrate this exciting regeneration in the town."
Bill Rammell MP added: "I am delighted that the new sports and leisure centre is now taking shape. We are regenerating our sports and recreation facilities and providing homes that are needed for Harlow residents with the support of the Government."