Crowds flock to enjoy the new facilities at Redcar leisure centre which include a pool, sports and civic amenities
Families have given the thumbs up to Redcar’s new £31m Leisure and Community Heart.
The new complex, which boasts state-of-the-art leisure and civic facilities, saw thousands of visitors flock to its opening event on Saturday.
Hundreds of children were the first to sample the new, 25m pool in a swimming skills event run by former European and Commonwealth swimming champion Adam Whitehead, while others made a splash on the centre’s innovative FlowRider wave machine.
And the civic side of the complex even hosted its first wedding, with Ian and Michelle Douglas taking the matrimonial plunge.
Maureen Davies, 75, of Redcar, swims in the over 50s club at Eston but is looking forward to trying out the new pool.
Visiting with grandson James Nightingale and his parents Michelle and Trevor, she said: “The construction is absolutely awe-inspiring. I have watched it going up from a hole in the ground, so to see it now is magnificent. Redcar is lucky to have this.
Redcar leisure centre opens
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“James will come to swimming lessons here as well. It’s marvellous.”
Friends Clare Mackintosh and Laura Smart, who both live in Redcar, brought their children along to look around.
Clare, mum to Jessica, 10 and Isla, 2, said: “It is very eagerly awaited. There’s nothing in Redcar for kids, so I’m looking forward to having somewhere to come.”
Laura, who has four children - Oliver, 11, Tia, 8, Harrison, 7, and Seth, 2 - said: “We live on Lobster Road, right round the corner, and I think it looks very impressive.
“I like the look of the baby pool as you don’t see many of them around, I will use that. Usually, we would have to go to Saltburn to swim but that means a train and a walk from the station, which can be a bit difficult with kids.”
Friends Sarah Darby and Donna Holtby were watching their children - Amber, 8 and Grace, 9, Darby and Alicia, 8, and Karma, 10 Holtby - take part in the swimming demonstrations in the main pool.
Donna, of Guisborough, said: “I think it looks great. My children go to swimming lessons in Guisborough, but I would definitely come back.”
The Redcar and Cleveland Heart, on Kirkleatham Street, boasts a six-lane and a training pool, a beach water fun area, fitness facilities, a sports hall, a registration service, council chamber, meeting rooms, business space with 44 units and the Mayor’s parlour.
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