County Durham Council invites local residents to contribute to £78m leisure facility plans

County Durham residents are being invited to have their say on the next stage of plans to transform the county’s leisure facilities.

Durham County Council is encouraging people to give their views on proposals to improve Newton Aycliffe and Meadowfield leisure centres, as well as facilities at the Riverside Leisure Complex in Chester-le-Street and the Louisa Centre in Stanley.

The consultation is the latest phase of activity in the council’s £78m Leisure Transformation Plan, which includes the creation of three new state of the art leisure centres and a full programme of wider improvements to the council’s existing leisure facilities.

The programme aims to improve the physical and mental health of residents, helping them to “live long and independent lives” and providing long-term benefits to communities across the county.

Leisure centre users, members, clubs, and groups are all invited to get involved in developing the plans, which include proposals for new and improved play, fitness, and wellbeing facilities, as well as healthy food and drink offers.

Under the proposals, Newton Aycliffe will undergo essential maintenance and refurbishment works, whilst a new soft play, adventure play and Tag Active are suggested at Louisa Centre, alongside improvements to the venue’s wellbeing, health and fitness suites.

Meadowfield will be modernised and its fitness offer will be expanded to include new group exercise spaces and a much-improved gym. Proposals for the Riverside include adding to the existing outdoor football offer and the refurbishment of existing athletics facilities.

Cllr James Rowlandson, Cabinet member for resources, investments and assets, said: “We want to ensure that County Durham offers a range of modern, well equipped and welcoming leisure facilities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

“It is important, therefore, that residents and leisure users tell us what would encourage them to become more active, have fun, give them confidence to get moving and, ultimately, improve their overall health.

“Their feedback will enable us to introduce popular new activities and facilities, make the best use of space across our venues, and to improve the overall centre experience, as well as contributing to economic regeneration programmes in our communities.”

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