The best-used leisure centre in Gateshead could be lost if efforts to save it from closure are unsuccessful.
Gateshead Leisure Centre gets more than 285,000 visits every year, but the massive facility’s big running costs and repair bills mean it has been deemed among the “least sustainable” sites at risk of being shut down under council budget cuts. More than 200,000 people also go through the doors of Dunston Leisure Centre each year, the other centre that has been judged to be under the greatest threat.
Civic centre officials have warned that at least two of their sites will have to be closed, with the cash-strapped local authority saying its leisure services are “unaffordable” in their current form. A public consultation on the controversial plans is due to shut next Tuesday, December 20, before a final decision is made in January about which centres will face the axe or whether they can be salvaged.
Here are the key facts and figures about the six council-run leisure centres, excluding Gateshead Stadium, whose futures are in doubt.
Gateshead Leisure Centre
- Facilities: Three swimming pools, learn to swim lessons, aquafit, a gym, fitness classes, squash court, sports hall, sauna, steam room, clip 'n' climb (currently not in use), soft play, Changing Places toilets, car charging points and room/studio hire.
- Year built: 1935, refurbished in 1975 and 2009
- Level of council subsidy required in 2022/23: £684,000
- Maintenance costs over next 10 years: £9.1m
- Visits per year: 285,020
- Next nearest public leisure centre: Heworth (2.3 miles)
Dunston Leisure Centre
- Facilities: Two swimming pools (including one deep pool), aquafit, learn to swim lessons, sauna and steam room, squash courts (currently not in use), gym, fitness classes, Changing Places toilets, car charging points and room hire.
- Year built: 1963, extended in 1975 and refurbished in 2010
- Level of council subsidy required in 2022/23: £557,000
- Maintenance costs over next 10 years: £1.3m
- Visits per year: 210,182
- Next nearest public leisure centre: Blaydon (2.3 miles)
Heworth Leisure Centre
- Facilities: Two swimming pools, splash pool, aquafit, learn to swim lessons, FlowRider (currently out of service), gym and fitness classes, grass pitch, room hire, car charging points (currently not in use) and Changing Places toilets.
- Year built: 2010
- Level of council subsidy required in 2022/23: £643,000
- Maintenance costs over next 10 years: £764,000
- Visits per year: 84,852
- Next nearest public leisure centre: Gateshead (2.3 miles)
Birtley Leisure Centre
- Facilities: Gym, fitness classes, sports hall, sauna, room hire and car charging points.
- Year built: 1950, extended in 1994
- Level of council subsidy required in 2022/23: £366,000
- Maintenance costs over next 10 years: £832,000
- Visits per year: 12,952
- Next nearest public leisure centre: Chester-le-Street (2.4 miles).
Birtley Swimming Centre
- Facilities: Three swimming pools, water slide, aquafit, learn to swim lessons, Changing Places toilet and room hire.
- Year built: 1972
- Level of council subsidy required in 2022/23: £593,000
- Maintenance costs over next 10 years: £953,000
- Visits per year: 50,770
- Next nearest public leisure centre: Chester-le-Street (2.4 miles).
Blaydon Leisure Centre
- Facilities: Two swimming pools, aquafit, learn to swim lessons, a gym, fitness classes, athletics track, 3G sports pitch, two grass pitches, Changing Places toilets, car charging points and room hire.
- Year built: 2010
- Level of council subsidy required in 2022/23: £541,000
- Maintenance costs over next 10 years: £100,000
- Visits per year: 215,115.
- Next nearest public leisure centre: Dunston (2.3 miles).
Read More:
- Gateshead residents say council's plans to close two leisure centres are 'riddled with problems'
- Locals warn of health worries if Gateshead leisure centres aren't saved from 'devastating' closure
- Union claims 'white elephant' Gateshead Stadium should be in closure mix with other leisure centres
- Frontline services in Gateshead face 'urgent' cuts as council grapples with £55m shortfall
- 'It would be absolutely tragic' – Thousands express dismay over Gateshead leisure centre closure plans
