Leisure centre reopens after long closure

Gateshead Active director Robert Waugh said it was a "long journey" to reopen the centre

A leisure centre has reopened to the public for the first time in almost a year.

Gateshead Leisure Centre was shut 11 months ago under council budget cuts.

The keys for the Prince Consort Road site were handed over to non-profit organisation Gateshead Active at the end of May.

On Tuesday night, the centre staged a test opening in which some local children from Caedmon Primary School were invited back to the soft play area and climbing wall.

The centre received funding of £105,532 from the Swimming Pool Support Fund to help towards its reopening.

Now, hoardings that have surrounded the building for much of the last year have been taken down and the centre’s gym, pool, soft play, and refurbished "Clip n Climb" are all available to use.

The centre was shut for 11 months after budget cuts at Gateshead Council

Gateshead Active director Robert Waugh, a former Labour councillor in the Saltwell ward, said: “It’s been a long journey getting this centre back open. I would also like to thank the council.

“We do need people to continue supporting us going forward and we hope to see loads of people coming to use our facilities once again.

"We want to keep memberships affordable and hopefully we can build a great community.”

There are plans for new attractions to be added, including a virtual reality escape room and inflatable obstacle courses.

The centre’s cafe will also be turned into a fanzone for England’s group stage matches at Euro 2024.