Plans revealed to build swimming pool in Westbridge Park, Stone
A LEISURE centre which has around 1,000 members could be knocked down and rebuilt to include a swimming pool.
The ambitious project to replace the ageing sports hall building at Westbridge Park, Stone, is being considered by Stafford Borough Council.
The scheme could also involve incorporating some of the sports facilities at Alleyne's Sports Centre in the tow.
The authority is spending £20,000 on appointing consultants to undertake a community consultation on the future of leisure facilities in the town.
Do you have an interview coming up and would like some professional help and support. Contact BlueSky CVs - the local specialist to help and support you!
10% discount off web prices.
Terms: 1 session per person
Contact: 01538 710408
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
The current leisure centre was built in 1989, with a life expectancy of 12 years, and was refurbished into a purpose built fitness gym in 2005.
If it is rebuilt, the new centre would be big enough to include:
A six-lane, 25m x 16m swimming pool with a 12.5m x 8m training pool;
A fitness gym to accommodate up to 80 pieces of equipment;
Three multi-purpose rooms to be used as aerobic studios;
A main hall, consultation and training rooms and reception.
A report to council states: "Redevelopment of facilities at Westbridge Park would offer an ideal opportunity to provide an optimum mix of sports facilities within the overall constraints of the site.
"Taking into account the condition of the existing facilities at Alleyne's Sports Centre and the current school and community programming, it is considered that an optimum position would be for some of the key elements of the sports facilities at Alleyne's to be relocated into a new, purpose-built facility at Westbridge Park, and to replace the obsolete sports hall building which currently houses the fitness facilities."
More than 3,000 people have backed a campaign to stop development plans at the park.
Residents fear green space could be swallowed up if the site is earmarked for a 'mixed use development' in the borough council's local plan.
Councillor Mike Smith, deputy leader and portfolio holder for leisure on the borough council, said: "As things stand, we have agreed to spend £20,000 on a consultation to go and find what the people of Stone want.
"The present building is getting on past its design life and my personal view is that sooner rather than later, Stone needs a new facility."
Town councillor Rob Kenney, who set up an e-petition called 'Keep Westbridge Park Green', said: "There is no way they could build something that size without it encroaching on the green area of the park.
"If they build it then I would have serious questions over how the council would fund it, and the rumour is a small supermarket would be built as part of the development.
"We have had a surge of around 750 signatures on the petition since the news of the consultation came out, so people are obviously concerned.
"People need to be asked if they want the new leisure centre in the first place and if they do, do they want it at the park or somewhere else."
Comments
by valiant2008
Thursday, November 08 2012, 9:41AM
“I dont know why the council dont just say sod you then, we will give our investment money to another town. Dont come moaning to us in another 5 years when the centre has to close because of its state of decay.”
by JohnStoke
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 1:24PM
“I don't think any green space would be taken up if the center is planned efficiently and on multi floor levels. Look at the new development in Newcastle to see how much can be done with relatively little space.”
by Patricia_62
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 12:46PM
“There is no mention of selling off the green space for development - Stone needs another supermarket as it only has 4 - to pay for it.”