THE charity behind a new leisure centre has reassured the community the facilities are there for everyone.

Crook had been without a sports centre for six years until Peases West Leisure Centre opened its doors last week. Hundreds of people turned out for the first of many football tournaments at the site over the weekend, and hundreds more have already signed up to use the gym.

However, members of Crook and District Athletics Club, which occupied the site for more than 40 years before the new centre was built, are concerned about changing arrangements and access to the outdoor running track.

They say they were assured they would get exclusive use of the running track on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, but when they arrived last week they found children’s football coaching sessions taking place in the middle. The runners believe this could pose a health and safety risk if the ball rolled onto the track in front of them.

Rumours are also circulating that runners will not be allowed to enter the new building at all but these have been dismissed by Crook Community Leisure. They say all are welcome so long as they change out of mucky sports gear in the outdoor changing rooms first.

Harry Binyon, treasurer of athletics club, said this could cause problems during big events as the outdoor facilities are limited.

He said negotiations with Crook Community Leisure were ongoing, adding: “We feel like we are in limbo. We need to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks and hopefully all of the issues will be resolved.”

Crook Community Leisure was awarded £500,000 from the Three Towns Area Action Partnership in 2013 following a public vote. Chairman John Winter said the aim was to develop the site for everyone, and this included providing a base for sports clubs.

Commenting on the running track, he said: “We are not talking about children randomly kicking footballs about, these are structured coaching sessions. As a charity we have to utilise all of the site when we can, to ensure the centre survives.”

Johnnie King, of Crook Town AFC Youth, said the centre was a welcome addition, adding: “We have never had such fantastic facilities.”