Morpeth's state-of-the-art £21 million leisure centre…

Morpeth's state-of-the-art £21 million leisure centre opens to the public

Northumberland's leisure offering is the envy of the entire country following the opening of its latest brand new site in Morpeth.

That was the word from the chairman of Active Northumberland - the company that runs the county's leisure services on behalf of the county council.

The new £21 million centre on Gas House Lane opened on Monday for the first time and features a swimming pool, gym, spa and cafe along with a four-court sports hall.

Also on site is the town's library, a council customer service centre and an entire floor dedicated to learning to help the local community upskill for employment.

Speaking at the opening, Active Northumberland chairman David Hall said: "I think it's quite remarkable that in the current UK and global climate, we have got a county council opening so many fantastic facilities like this. The offer in Northumberland is unmatched anywhere in the country. It presents a real opportunity for the county council and Active Northumberland to work together to support individuals and families in the county in whatever way is important to them.

"Everything is under one roof. We have the chance to make a real positive impact on the community - it's cheek to jowl to the town centre, it's got everything going for it. We want to be seen as a provider of excellent quality."

Mark Warnes, the chief executive of Active Northumberland, added that he hoped the site would become a "social hub" for the community.

Council leader Glen Sanderson cut the ribbon to officially open the centre, which forms part of an "ambitious" £65 million investment programme that has upgraded leisure facilities across the county.

Glen Sanderson, Leader of NCC, Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Healthy Lives and Mark Warnes Chief Executive of Active Northumberland, with members of Morpeth Swimming Club (Northumberland County Council/Helen Smith)

Coun Sanderson said: "We're very proud of this new centre. This is very much part of meeting our three key priorities. It comes on the back of recent new centres in Berwick and Ponteland and significant investments in Cramlington, Bedlington and Newbiggin.

"It's a business opportunity for the council - we don't want to waste taxpayer's money but we want to make sure these places cover themselves. A lot of councils are struggling with leisure centres and very few councils are investing in new centres like this.

"I hope people enjoy this for years to come. It's very important to us to tackle health inequalities, and there is no better way of doing that then with a quality leisure centre."

Cabinet member for healthy lives, Coun Jeff Watson, was also keen to stress the importance of the on-site, two storey library.

He added: "It's about having the vision. Three or four years ago, this was a muddy hole. A place like this is somewhere people will come to spend money.

"Lots of councils are cutting back on libraries, but we haven't closed any for this year or last, and we have no intention of doing so. They are so important for people to study and for elderly people.

"We're trying to really look after our residents."

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