St Helens leisure centre gets green light

THE £3.8m redevelopment of Queens Park Leisure Centre in St Helens has been given planning permission.

Architect firm Pozzoni was commissioned by St Helens Council to design a new scheme, which will demolish existing buildings and refurbish the relatively modern sports hall.

The centre, originally Victorian baths, was developed over the years in contrasting styles, resulting differing states of repair, and making the buildings expensive to maintain.

Martin Bransby, director at Pozzoni, said: “Together with its high standard of finish and its rebranding and design, the centre will be redefined as a new focus central to the local community. The facility has been designed to maximise energy and efficiency and where possible has sought to employ sustainable energy principles.”

The project will start on site in June 2009 with a forecast completion date in July 2010.