Building work finally starts on new leisure centre in Newcastle – six years after pool closure

Spades went into the ground on Thursday morning to mark the start of work on the state-of-the-art Outer West Leisure Centre in West Denton.

The building of the new sport and leisure complex has become a lengthy saga, plagued by setbacks and escalating costs.

The former Outer West Pool shut its doors at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and never reopened, before it was later demolished alongside the neighbouring customer service centre to make way for a modern replacement.

It had been hoped that the new centre would be ready to open in summer 2024, but that target was missed and the estimated cost of the scheme rocketed from an original £22.3 million to just shy of £40 million.

Inflation hitting the construction industry, the need to move a high voltage power cable running across the site in West Denton Way, and old underground mine workings have all been factors in the long delays, which have sparked concern over children in a deprived part of Tyneside missing out on the health benefits and life-saving skills swimming can provide.

Completion of the new centre, which was awarded £19.8 million under the previous government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2021, is now expected in late 2027.

Christine Duggan, who lives in the neighbouring Denton Park House housing block, braved high winds and driving rain to be at the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday.

The 75-year-old has been left frustrated by the lack of progress she has seen from her window and was thrilled to see building work finally start.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “There is nothing here for people. If you want to go swimming it is Elswick, Gosforth, or Shields Road – two buses.

“[Once it is open] I will be straight into the pool, I can’t wait. There are a lot of people really waiting for it to open.”

Jill Winter, of the Newcastle Swim Team, said that its swimmers were “very excited about having a new, purpose-built training facility”.

Fellow club director Andrew Soulsby added it had been a “significant operational challenge” for the competitive team to be training at the pools in Byker and Gosforth and for the club to attract new members over recent years.

Like the old Outer West Pool, the new centre will be operated by Greenwich Leisure Limited on behalf of Newcastle City Council.

The first council-owned leisure centre and pool to be built in Newcastle for 26 years, its facilities will include an eight-lane 25m swimming pool, a 17m training pool, a sports hall, a gym, a café, a children’s play area, a library, and a sauna and steam rooms.

The project’s costs are also being partly met with £2.5 million from Sport England and £1.4 million loan from North East mayor Kim McGuinness.

The city council has promised to cover the remaining balance from its own reserves, Community Infrastructure Levy funding, and borrowing.

Deputy council leader Alex Hay called the groundbreaking a “fantastic day”.

He added: “Residents in this part of the city deserve access to high-quality council services. We are determined to see this building built and have been determined to do so since the project was first announced. It is a vital resource for the health of residents in this part of the city and we are delighted to be here finally starting the building work.”

Alex Isted, area director of contractors Morgan Sindall North East and Cumbria, said: “Breaking ground this week represents a major milestone for everyone involved.

“We’re pleased to be working alongside Newcastle City Council to create a high- quality, sustainable leisure centre that will provide good health, wellbeing and community spaces.

“Our team is looking forward to the next stage as we bring this important asset to life for all stakeholders.”