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£7m Sports Domes are a scoring success

Hartlepool’s innovative Sports Domes development is on course to smash visitor targets in its first year.

The £7million facility, which opened in February, is on course to sign up 1,000 people to its gym membership by the turn of the year, while around 2,000 people play football at the Domes each week.

Thousands more have enjoyed golfing on the indoor putting green, driving range and course simulators.

Sports Domes owner Brian Morton said the success of the facility was very encouraging.

“The attendance figures are excellent but we knew we were onto a winner by offering some of the best quality indoor sports facilities in the country,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to be beating our initial targets, particularly with the gym membership, which has really picked up since we opened the steam room, jacuzzi and sauna and that will continue throughout the winter.

“The popularity of the football and golf domes has exceeded all our expectations but I think that’s down to the fact we have put together a great team there and the facilities are of such high quality, clean and in the best possible condition.”

The Sports Domes, on the outskirts of Hartlepool at Seaton Carew, is one of the first inflatable sports domes in the country with the largest of the two domes hosting six five-a-side football pitches, while the second is aimed at golfers of all levels with a putting trail, four golf simulators, a chipping green, indoor driving range, a pro shop and cafe.

In addition to the domes, there is also a state-of-the-art gym including a sensory room to stimulate disabled children and an interactive room aimed specifically at youngsters.

Plans were recently announced to further develop the Sports Domes with the addition of a synthetic ice-rink and 1,200-seater auditorium.

Mr Morton added: “We get a lot of positive feedback from people using the Sports Domes and it’s encouraging that we are now getting known for the other things that we do such as our restaurant and bar, functions, weddings and children’s parties.

“But the ice-rink will be just fantastic. Since we announced the plans, we have had a lot of inquiries from people looking to put on exhibitions and events as well as other sports competitions such as boxing and darts.

“To see this grow from just an idea a few years ago, to something that is setting the standard for sports facilities is very satisfying.”

Andi Russell, head of football development at The Sports Domes, added: “It’s great that we are getting so many people through playing football and generating inquiries from players across the region.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .