A leisure centre in Kirkby-in-Ashfield which is being majorly transformed has had a climbing wall and splash pad installed to mixed reactions. Work is ongoing to develop the £15.5m Kirkby Leisure Centre, which will replace the Festival Hall building on Hodgkinson Road after plans were approved in June 2020 and construction started in December that year.
A climbing wall for adults and children and a wet play area for families have recently been installed at the site. The leisure centre will have a 25m pool with a separate leisure pool, a sports hall which can be turned into a cinema and gym, studios and rehabilitation suites.
The Festival Hall leisure centre will eventually make way for further parking, but parts of it remain open while the development continues.
Read more: Clifton mum gives birth to biggest baby born in Nottingham in 2021
John Stafford, 71, who lives in Greenacres, said: "I'd have used it around 60 years ago, but it's 60 years too late for me, I wouldn't use it now. The leisure centre needs to be a specialist attraction as there's nothing else here in Kirkby.
"It feels like a lot of money is being spent compared to who it might actually attract."
Brian Turner, 67, who lives on Derby Road, said: "I think it's a bit of a waste of money. Council tax is going up so much, and this is what we're having to pay for? Where is the justification for that?
"I regularly walk through the nearby park, and I've never heard anyone working or anything like that. It also depends how much is charged for the facilities to be used too."
However another resident can't wait for it to open. He said he would take advantage of the new facilities.
Patrick Taylor, 30, who lives on Coxmoor Road, said: "I will probably use it. I go to the leisure centre regularly in Top Valley and usually do weights, attend classes, and go swimming as well, so it would be great to have those facilities nearer to home.
"I think that'll be good for people in the area. It'll create more jobs and it will be good."
Ashfield Independent councillors Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council, and Rachel Madden, cabinet member for leisure, health and wellbeing at the local authority, recently visited Kirkby Leisure Centre to mark the installation of the climbing wall and splash pad. They hope it will attract more people to the area and to use the facility.
Cllr Zadrozny said: "It's incredible to be able to see the final finishing touches go into Kirkby’s new leisure centre. The new equipment including the wall and splash pad will provide something new and exciting for our residents.
"We are providing the best possible facilities for our residents to use, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone through the doors."
Cllr Madden said: "It's fantastic to see the facility come to life in the shadow of the Festival Hall which has served the people of Ashfield since the 1950s. We have the same hopes and even greater expectations for the new facility, which will see huge benefits for all residents and create a vibrant hub for the community."
