MOAT HOUSE LEISURE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE – OPEN 02.03.09

It’s been just over one year since work started on the original site on Winston Avenue and now the doors to the new £11m Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre are finally open!

Since the initial request to meet the needs of local people in the area was first put forward in 2002, the flagship Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre will be officially opening its doors to residents on Monday March 2nd.

Pam Lewis, NDC board member shared her memories with Your Shout on how the whole project first came about.

“This is going back many years now, right at the beginning of the NDC programme. I was a newly appointed board member then and residents often came and talked about any concerns they had in the area.

“I remember one day Vicar Nerissa Jones came to my house and told me a story about two young brothers living in Wood End who had talked to her about their boredom and frustration because there was nothing to do in the area and asked her what she would suggest to pass the time.

“We talked about this in depth and it was decided to raise the lack of facilities for young people at the next NDC board meeting. From that meeting the idea of some form of a leisure building was really hatched and over the years we made sure it stayed on the agenda.

“Of course the idea then evolved over the years, and eventually came to include the neighbourhood facilities element as well. It has been a testing journey getting this far but it is wonderful to finally see the hard work come to life.”

Richard Marrs, the Centre Manager said: “The Moat House will offer residents a full programme of activities and we have worked hard to develop a programme for all ages. We have special sessions for the very young including a crèche and a full programme for the not so young.

“The Leisure Centre will be adding to the programme over time and we are keen to hear from residents about the types of activities and events they would like to see in the future. Football development will feature regularly in the programme and we plan to introduce leagues and kick arounds to make best use of the facilities available.”

December 2007 Plans for the centre are unveiled	January 2008 Ground work begins on site	March 2008 Main structure is erected
April 2008 Members of Partnership Board go on site for a tour	April 2008 Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe pays a visit	August 2008 Internal work begins
September 2008 External work begins	November 2008 Windows are fitted	January 2009 Building is complete inside & outside