Harlow Leisurezone Opening Date
Harlow Leisurezone, the £25m state-of-the-art community leisure centre is set to open on Wednesday 23rd June 2010.
The top-class sports and leisure facility has been built as part of the £50m Harlow Gateway project which is providing homes, leisure and lifestyle opportunities for Harlow people.
Leisurezone will deliver outstanding sports, recreation, fitness and learning facilities in the heart of the town – including modern sports hall, indoor tennis centre, two swimming pools, a state-of-the-art gym and fitness studios, along with an interactive science centre for ‘Science Alive’. The new centre is also capable of hosting major events.
Leisurezone is the jewel in the crown of the Harlow Gateway project. It has succeeded through the passion, dedication and partnership working that marks Harlow as a special place. It will be the envy of many for miles around.
Leisurezone will provide the town with its first combined ‘wet and dry’ leisure centre, setting new standards for accessible, high-quality and integrated sports and leisure service provision in the region.
Harlow has a pioneering record in the provision of sporting facilities. The opening of Harlow Sportcentre in1959 broke new ground with the establishment of a Charitable Trust to run it. The Trust was an innovative venture in its day, and its success meant it was subsequently copied by local authorities across the UK.
After years of leading the way, the Sportcentre needed major reinvestment to maintain the quality of its services. While several ambitious schemes were put forward, finance was a stumbling block. It wasn’t until the Gateway Project was conceived and investment committed by all the Gateway Project Partners that the dreams of a new leisure centre came to fruition.
“Leisurezone, the new, state-of-the-art community leisure centre, is the jewel in the crown of the Gateway Project, Harlow’s biggest regeneration project for many years. It puts Harlow back at the forefront of sporting provision in the region and is a tremendous asset to Harlow and the wider community,” said Andrew Johnson, Leader of Harlow Council.
“Leisurezone has been achieved through an excellent example of partnership working. Not only is it providing much needed new homes but a new football stadium, athletics track and community leisure centre for everyone in Harlow to use and enjoy,” said Councillor Chris Millington, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group.
“The Gateway Project has delivered new homes and sporting facilities through a partnership backed by £11m of Government funding through what was the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Without this funding this wonderful community leisure centre would not have been possible,” said Councillor Mark Wilkinson, leader of the Labour Group.
Pat Hay, Chairman of Harlow & District Sports Trust said: "This is a really exciting time for Harlow residents. The sporting and leisure opportunities at Harlow Leisurezone are absolutely outstanding and it will be one of the best facilities in the country. Harlow residents will be able to enjoy so many more activities under one roof. Leisurezone will be a place to come and spend half a day and it will bring sport and leisure in Harlow well and truly into the 21st century."
Naisha Polaine, Head of Area for the HCA in the East of England, said: “The Harlow Gateway is a great regeneration project that combines affordable and open market homes, community facilities and infrastructure. The Leisurezone opening marks a real milestone in the project’s life, and we are delighted to see this facility come to fruition.”
Further media information regarding the Gateway Project:
Harlow Gateway Partnership: Carol Leach - 07968 619129
Further media information regarding Harlow Leisurezone:
Emma Sproat, Marketing Manager - 01279 621500