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Ground broken at site of new £27 million Leeds fitness centre
DIG THIS!: Eleanor Gallon, with spade, Sandie Keene, director of adult social services, Coun Lucinda Yeadon, Lewis Gibbs, 13, Coun Adam Ogilvy, and Coun Clive Fox.
WORK has started on a £27m fitness centre which survived Government spending cutbacks.
Ground was broken at the site of the facility in Holt Park, Leeds, which was given the go-ahead last December, and will be the first of its kind in the country.
Eleanor Gallon was on hand to help after she won a competition to name the new centre, which will be called Holt Park Active.
A 25m swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, cafe, gym and hubs for older people and those with disabilities will be among the facilities at the centre, which is funded through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
Eleanor, from Headingley, said: “I thought of the name Holt Park Active as it is less of a mouthful than having to tag on the usual ‘leisure centre’, ‘well-being centre’ or ‘active living centre’ – it’s short and snappy. And the centre is about keeping residents active.”
The scheme was thrown into uncertainty in 2010 when the Government announced it was under review. Last April it was given initial backing but another issue over funding had to be smoothed out in autumn.
After yesterday’s ceremony, Coun Lucinda Yeadon, executive board member with responsibility for adult health and social care, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that building work has finally started after the long delay we experienced whilst waiting to hear whether we would still receive the PFI funding required to progress with this project.
“Holt Park Active will be an amazing facility that will enable people to easily access social care and community facilities within their local area.
“It will also help people with greater needs, such as a physical or learning disability, or a mental health problem, to access the personalised services they need, confidently and easily.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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