Plans for a new leisure centre in Newcastle have been given the go-ahead.

The new centre at West Denton is the first council-owned leisure centre and pool to be built in Newcastle for 22 years.

The new facility that replaces the now closed West Denton Pool will also replace the current West Denton library and customer service centre offering residents brand new facilities all under one roof.

It will offer a range of sport, leisure, and community facilities to address a shortfall in the city and support healthier lifestyles and community cohesion in the local area.

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The new development will feature:

• A 25m pool with eight rather than six lanes

• A 17m training pool

• Aqua play pool

• A multi-use sports hall

• Fitness studio and gym

• Library

• Community rooms

• Café

• Children's soft play

• A car park with spaces for electric vehicles

• Landscaping

The development became possible after Newcastle City Council successfully bid for £19.8m from the Government’s levelling up fund. The council is contributing a further £2.5m bringing the total cost to £22.3m.

Work will now begin on demolishing the existing pool, library, and customer service centre to make way for the construction of a new building which is expected to open to the public in the summer of 2024.

The new building is designed to reduce carbon emissions by 78% against 2013 regulations. It will also adapt to the effects of climate change and contribute to the council’s target of making the city Net Zero by 2030.