Work on the much anticipated multi-million pound Creswell health and wellbeing centre is due to start in early 2022.
Working with partners, the project is being built by Elmton-with-Creswell Parish Council with assistance and funding from Bolsover District Council, Elmton-with-Creswell Parish Council, Derbyshire County Council, Viridor, Big Local and Bolsover Partnership.
Creswell Leisure Centre closed its doors in 2016 and Councillor Duncan McGregor set about looking at proposals for a brand new facility for the village. One that would not only provide people with the chance to participate in an active and healthy lifestyle, but one that could link with the importance of the Crags and provide an educational resource.
Five years down the line and contractors Robert Woodhead Limited are due to start work on the £2million+ development. Located on Colliery Road, adjacent to the Model Village, the new facility will provide the following:
- 27 station gym
- Climbing wall and caving experience
- One group exercise studio
- Soft play area
- Two badminton court sports hall
- Café
Councillor McGregor said: “I am delighted to finally be able to say that work is about to start. It would have started sooner if it was not for the pandemic, but I am hopeful that we will be up and running by this time next year.”
Creswell has a long history of mining and to help continue this association with its heritage it is hoped that a suitable activity/exhibit will be included at a later stage.
Cllr McGregor added: “A lot of hard work and effort has gone into getting us to this point and I am extremely grateful to all those that have been involved. My colleagues, councillor Rita Turner, councillor Jim Clifton and I never wanted to see the closure of the leisure centre, but once it was confirmed we set about looking what we could do to provide something in the village.
“We want the facility to be as flexible as possible and that is what we are going to get. It will provide the fitness enthusiast with a venue to workout, whilst offering a more social setting for people and groups to meet, have a chat and enjoy a cuppa whilst still being active and provide a setting for educational visits.”
Glenn Slater, chief visionary officer of Robert Woodhead Limited, said: “We are so pleased to be working with Elmton with Creswell Parish Council to deliver the new centre, it will bring investment into Creswell, as well as benefitting the general wellbeing of residents for years to come. As local contractors we will be working hard to use our strong local supply chain.”
