There's still time for you to help shape future leisure plans

The main leisure facility, Mill House Leisure Centre, has served the town for more than 50 years but is getting old and coming to the end of its useful life.

As a result, Hartlepool Borough Council is carrying out a review of all its main sport and leisure facilities in the wider context of what’s on offer in terms of sport and leisure provision as a whole across the town, to ensure that any future plans reflect the needs of the community.

The Council has set aside £175,000 to cover the cost of a feasibility study, option appraisal and initial design work for new facilities and it’s currently running a public consultation to identify the mix of facilities required across the town to encourage more people to take part in sport and leisure and to identify any barriers which might be holding people back.

People can have their say by:

* Completing a short online survey by clicking here.

or

* Attending one of the following consultation events, where there will be a short presentation by Gemma Ptak, the Council’s Assistant Director (Preventative and Community-Based Services), followed by an opportunity for people to ask questions and give their views:

Thursday 5 September - 10am to 12 noon – The Dance Studio, Brierton Sports Centre, Brierton Lane

Tuesday 10 September – 5.30pm-7.30pm – The Centre for Excellence in Creative Arts (CECA), King Oswy Drive

Wednesday 11 September – 1pm-3pm – The Community Room, Community Hub Central, York Road

The consultation ends on 15 September.

Councillor Shane Moore, the Leader of the Council, said: “The condition of Mill House Leisure Centre is deteriorating and it will require a significant investment of around £1.3m over the next five years, so basically it has exceeded its lifespan and is no longer fit for purpose.

“In agreeing to fund the feasibility study, option appraisal and design work and undertaking this full review of our existing sport and leisure provision, we’ve taken an important step towards getting the town the new leisure facilities which I’m committed to developing.

“The views of local people are crucial to that process. Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the consultation so far, and if you haven’t yet, I really hope you will make the time to do so.

“I’m passionate about ensuring that local people of all ages have access to a range of high quality leisure opportunities, not least because there’s strong evidence that physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of some of the major causes of illness and premature death in Hartlepool – including circulatory, respiratory and digestive diseases and cancer – as well as also being good for your mental health.”