Adlington opens £13.5m complex
A NEW £13.5m sports and swimming complex in Blackburn town centre has been completed and opened to the public by Olympic freestyle swimmer Rebecca Adlington.
The Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn College project comprises two sports halls, an 80-station fitness gym, aerobics and separate spinning a studios.
Also included is a 25-metre pool, and water fun zone, new flumes and a sports science performance and testing laboratory.
In addition, the facility incorporates a training pool with a moveable floor, making it suitable for children, aqua aerobics, hydrotherapy and other uses.
The scheme has been completed by Eric Wright Construction, part of the Preston-based Eric Wright Group, and which has received a Bronze award from the Considerate Constructors Scheme at National Site Awards in Edinburgh in recognition of its work on the project.
The complex replaces the former Waves Water Fun Centre, a 26-year-old recreational venue. Set to be demolished, the resulting site will be sold for development by the council as part of the ongoing town centre regeneration scheme.
DLA Architects and Desco Engineering Consultancy were also involved in the delivery of the complex, which council chiefs say incorporates a modern, efficient design, to halve the running costs of the former recreation centre.
John Wilson, managing director at Eric Wright Construction, said: “This project greatly enhances Blackburn’s leisure facilities for the good of the community. The project ran smoothly and makes a significant and positive contribution to the modernisation of the town centre.”
Blackburn with Darwen council leader, Kate Hollern said: “The Council has invested heavily in leisure services to make sure our residents, young and old, have access to the best facilities around.
“Improving participation in sport and health and wellbeing is a major priority for the Council. We have joined forces with the college in a unique partnership to ensure that our investment is spent wisely for the benefit of the borough and our residents reap the health benefits.”
