PREPARATIONS are under way ahead of the construction of the new leisure centre in Ingleby Barwick later this year.
The removal of trees and shrubs which are adjacent to the existing staff car park will begin at the All Saints Academy site this Saturday (11 February) so it can be completed ahead of the bird nesting season.
Earlier this month, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved the proposal to build the new centre on the Academy’s existing staff car park.
Although the trees and shrubs are being removed next week, construction work won’t begin until a replacement car park has been created.
Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Councillor Bob Cook, said: “These initial works are the first steps towards the creation of a first class facility for the people of Ingleby Barwick.
“In the coming months a contractor will be appointed ahead of construction starting later this year.”
The building, designed by Ellis Williams Architects, is scheduled to open to the public in winter 2018/19.
It will include swimming pools, a health and fitness suite, gym, community access library and customer service point.
The facility will be operated by Tees Active Leisure, which already operates three centres in the area on behalf of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
To view images of how the leisure centre will look, visit the Council’s Flickr album at www.flickr.com/stocktoncouncil
A short film previewing how the facility will look can be viewed on the Council’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/stocktoncouncil/videos