Hermitage Leisure Centre to close as plans for Coalville one approved
HERMITAGE Leisure Centre in Whitwick is to close after plans for a new £20m leisure centre on the outskirts of Coalville were given the green light.
On Tuesday, November 21, at a full council meeting of North West Leicestershire District Council it was agreed that a new centre would be built on council-owned land off the A511 (Stephenson Way).
The district council has said that the Hermitage Leisure Centre will remain open until the new centre is built.
This land opposite Stephenson College and the council said the new lei- sure centre will allow the council to meet growing demand which can’t be met within the existing facilities.
The new centre could be built by 2020.
However Whitwick Parish Council has told the Echo that it would have preferred the current centre - that is less than a mile away from the new site - to have been upgraded.
Peter Moult, vice chair of Whitwick Parish Council told the Echo: “The parish would have preferred the decision to have been to upgrade the current leisure centre, this will obviously not now happen.
“We accept that the new leisure centre will be built and, as a parish council, our main concern is now what happens to the site of the existing building, and to the parking for the residents of Silver Street.
“As the new centre will be built on The Green Wedge, it is imperative that we protect this precious area of separation.
“We have been assured that no decision has yet been made about the current site and that there will be a period of consultation before they reach any decision.
“We will obviously want to be part of the consultation process and we can work together to achieve the best possible outcome for the village.”
The district council says that councillors have agreed that the new leisure centre would include at least the following facilities: • An eight court sports hall • An eight lane 25-metre pool • A 15m x 8.5-metre learner pool with moveable floor
• A health and fitness suite with 150 pieces of equipment
• A multi-activity studio, large enough to be sub-divided into two separate rooms
• One spin studio
• Three squash courts
• Vending area(s)
• A café / bar
• A 250-space car park.
Coun Richard Blunt, leader of North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “I’m pleased that we’ve received cross party support for this exciting project. “This will be the biggest investment made by this council for many years..”