A LONG-AWAITED leisure centre will open its doors for business later this month.

Dates have been announced for the opening of the new swimming pools and gym facilities at the multi-million pound Consett Leisure Centre.

The centre, owned by Durham County Council and operated by Leisureworks, will include two swimming pools, with adjustable floors, a slide and splash water features.

It also includes a fully-equipped Lifestyle Fitness gym, three exercise studios, three glass-backed squash courts and an eight-court sports hall for badminton, football and other indoor sports.

Outside facilities include a 4G pitch and a multi-use games area for netball, football, basketball and other sports. An outdoor running track will open at a later date.

The new centre is attached to the new Consett Academy school building, due to open in September as part of a £44 million regeneration project.

The Academy currently operates on a split site in Moorside and Blackfyne. Both existing buildings will close on Friday, July 10 with staff moving into the new building at Belle Vue on Monday, July 13.

Cllr Maria Plews, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning, said: “The opening of this new leisure centre will mean people in Consett will have access to some of the most outstanding sport and leisure facilities available.

“It will benefit people of all ages and abilities and, together with the new academy, this development will be a huge community asset for the town.”

The new leisure centre will open in phases, starting with the new gym which will launch on Wednesday, July 15 with reduced opening hours.

Normal gym opening hours of 6.30am until 9.30pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm at weekends will begin on Monday, July 20.

A limited timetable of adult fitness classes will run from Monday, July 20, with the full timetable starting a week later on Monday, July 27.

The new swimming pools will open with a reduced timetable on Saturday, July 25 and a full timetable (excluding swimming lessons) from Monday, July 27.

All of the facilities, except for the outdoor sprint track, are expected to be fully open from Monday, July 27.

Details of timetables and opening hours are available at www.leisureworks.net or by calling 01207 218 151.

The existing Belle Vue Leisure Centre will close on Friday, July 10 and Belle Vue Swim Centre will be operating a slightly reduced timetable until Sunday, July 19.

Although public swimming sessions will end at Belle Vue Swim Centre from Monday, July 20, it will remain open for swimming lessons until August 2.