Plans to Develop an Ambitious New Leisure Centre Pass the First Hurdle

9.46.22pm GMT Mon 7th Nov 2005

Radical plans to transform Bletchley Leisure Centre are up and running.

English Partnerships are to provide initial finance to the tune of £200,000 to enable Milton Keynes Council to undertake detailed feasibility work as part of a long-term project to make the leisure centre a leaner, fitter 21st century leisure venue.

A recent bid to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) for £4.8 million for the project has also passed the first hurdle, and the Council is now racing flat out to meet the deadline of November 30th for Stage 2 of the bidding to ODPM.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Euan Henderson, cabinet member responsible for leisure, said: "Bletchley Leisure Centre was built over 30 years ago, and while it has served the community both locally and further afield very well in that time, it's more than time for a change. There have been a number of improvements and modernisations over the years - such as the demolition of the car park and its associated 'snake' walkway as well as improvements to the fitness facilities and reception/café areas of the centre.

"But we want go far beyond cosmetic changes - we want a radical overhaul to build a brand new leisure and recreation facility that will serve our community effectively in the future, and be an integral part of the regeneration of Bletchley."

Facilities that are planned include:

• Swimming, diving and leisure pools

• An eight-court main sports hall and two multi-sport areas

• An exercise centre (fitness suite, spinning area, exercise studio, sauna and therapy rooms, etc.)

• Squash courts

• Reception, bar and social areas

• Crèche/play area and café

• Meeting rooms

• Office areas

• Storage and changing rooms

• Eight-rink indoor bowls.