Leisure programme has vanished, say councillors
AMBITIONS to enhance leisure facilities in County Durham have been met with scepticism.
Labour councillors said Durham County Council’s Leisure Transformation Programme seems to have “disappeared off the face of the earth”.
Residents of Chester-le-Street were initially consulted on plans to revamp the Riverside leisure complex and Roseberry Playing Fields in Pelton back in November 2022.
Following alterations to the proposals, another consultation was held in January 2023.
However, locals claim they haven’t heard from the council since then.
The matter was brought up at County Hall during a Corporate Overview and Scrutiny meeting last week, amid criticism of the current state of leisure facilities in County Durham.
Coun Rob Crute, the chair of the committee and deputy leader of County Durham Labour, said: “What concerns me is that the leisure transformation programme has disappeared off the face of the earth.
“We were promised it was going to come before the relevant committee back in October, November, December, and then January. We expected it to come after the budget.”
“There’s no mention of the Leisure Transformation Programme, and we need to do something about it.
“We need to get to the bottom of it because it’s not working properly.”
Proposed enhancements for the Riverside area include the installation of a double 3G artificial grass pitch, an upgraded athletics track, and a new multi-use court.
The council has expressed its eagerness to optimise the use of Roseberry playing fields facilities.
However, previous ambitions to construct new leisure centres in Chester-le-Street, at the former Civic Centre site, and in Seaham have been dampened by financial constraints.
Coun Kevin Shaw, from Dawdon ward, said: “We’re asking people to go to Sunderland and use their leisure facilities because we cancelled them in Durham.
“Kids in my community have been waiting for a swimming pool for two generations.
“It was on the cusp of being delivered and now it’s gone.”
Pelton councillor Alison Batey urged the council to keep the public informed about the developments.
The Labour councillor stated: “We need to remember that members of the public were consulted on this in November and December 2022.
“This is embarrassing, not only for the people in this room but also that we haven’t been able to tell the public what is going on from a scrutiny point of view.
“It’s extremely concerning that we have got a delay that’s taken so long. The reality is we don’t even know what’s in it.”
Despite the setbacks, Durham County Council has reaffirmed its dedication to the Leisure Transformation Programme, highlighting the progress made across the region.
“Through the programme we have already delivered transformations to Abbey, Spennymoor and Peterlee Leisure Centres,” a spokeswoman added.
“The new facilities across these centres, which include a new children’s indoor play area and a bowling alley, have been well-received.
“The transformed centres feature Move hubs and a wider activity programme designed to get people of any fitness level on their feet and moving.”
“We continue to progress with the transformation of the county’s leisure centres, with planning approval recently granted for Bishop Auckland.”