A NEW leisure centre in Consett is expected to be open in time for the school holidays this summer.

The sports facilities are being developed on the Belle Vue site as part of a £44m new academy school for the town.

It includes two pools with moveable floors, an interactive slide and small splash water features.

The centre has an eight-court sports hall for badminton, football, gymnastics and other indoor games, three squash courts, studio spaces for dance and exercise classes as well as a fully-equipped gym and a cafe.

Outside the new centre there will also be an Astro Turf pitch for football and rugby, a sprint track and a multi-use games area for netball, football, basketball and other sports.

The new Consett Leisure Centre will replace the existing Belle Vue Leisure Centre and Swim Centre nearby which will be closed.

Steve Howell, head of sport and leisure, at Durham County Council, said: “This is an amazing new facility which will be used by both the local community and Consett Academy students. There’s something for everyone.”

The project, which included the demolition of the former Civic Centre and Consett AFC’s stadium, was controversial when it was unveiled and a group of residents tried to block it by registering the land as a village green.

Opponents would have preferred the development to go ahead on the former steelworks site, but it was given the go ahead in 2013 following a lengthy legal battle.

Consett Academy, formed following the merger of Consett Community Sports College and Moorside Community Technology College in January 2012, is moving into its new purpose built school building in September.

The new school will house 1,700 students and offer young people modern facilities as well as access the new facilities at the leisure centre.

The town’s MP Pat Glass said: “It is a major capital asset in the town. It raises the spirits when you see it being developed.

“It is going to be the most amazing school and the kids in Consett deserve no less.

“The school is going from strength to strength in the old premises and when it moves into its new building it is going to be one of the best high performing schools in the county.”