news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk Billingham Forum scheme a step closer


Redevelopment of leisure venue designed to 'future proof' facility for next 30 years By Pete Hayman


A major £17m renovation of Billingham Forum, Stockton-on- Tees, has reached a milestone following the completion of internal infrastructure work and exterior improvements. Stockton Council's bid to


transform the 1960s venue into a new sports and leisure complex has encountered delays due to the poor weather conditions earlier this year and the removal of asbestos. Warwickshire-based contrac-


tor Morgan Sindall is four months behind schedule with the project as a result of the delays, although it is now hoped that Billingham Forum will be able to reopen in spring 2011. A six-lane, 25m swim- ming pool with a new training


Grant for street sports


A pilot project promoting street sports in Newmarket is set to become a permanent fixture after the initiative received £20,000 worth of funding from the Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership. The scheme, called


Street Football, was launched on 7 May by Anglia Community Leisure, the trust that operates leisure facilities in Forest Heath on behalf of the council. The project aims to offer young people physical activities as part of plans to reduce anti-social behavior. Keiran Williams, project


leader, said: "We want to give young people something to do in the evening through sport."


© Cybertrek 2010 The site will become an events village during the 2012 Games By Pete Hayman


Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (WPBC) has approved plans to transform the Dorset town's pavilion and ferry terminal site into an


"Events Village" during the London 2012 Olympics. A number of potential uses,


such as live music, street theatre and cultural events, have been outlined as part of the plans for the venue, which


is set be funded through sponsorship and commercial operations. An events manage- ment company will now be appointed in order to deliver the scheme, which was given the green light by the council. WPBC brief holder for


partnerships and special projects Howard Legg said:


"This is an exciting new project that could make good use of the Pavilion/Ferry Terminal site during 2012."


IN BRIEF Facilities include a six-lane, 25m swimming pool and training pool


pool and retained learner pool will be among the facilities at the complex, along with an extended 70-station gym and an upgraded ice rink. Improvements to Billingham


Forum's theatre area, the four-court sports hall, two squash courts and reception


area also form part of the project, as well as the creation of a children's play barn and function room. The redevelopment has also


been designed to 'future proof' the sports venue for at least 30 years; five more years than originally anticipated.


Weymouth's 2012 plans approved


Morecambe FC stadium opening delayed Morecambe Football Club (MFC) has cancelled three pre-season friendly fixtures after the opening of its new Globe Arena venue was delayed until early August. Delays in the final stages of construction at the £12m venue, which will be capable of accommodating 6,000 spectators, now means the handover of the stadium has been put back to 6 August. The Globe Arena has been developed on a 5.3-hectare (13-acre) site in the town's Westgate area by Warrington- based Globe Construction, which has signed a five-year sponsorship deal with the League Two club.


New 'Games for Scotland' launches EventScotland and the Scottish


Government have launched a new project designed to engage local communities ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The £320,000 Games for Scotland programme aims to raise awareness of the Handover Ceremony taking place in Delhi, India, later this summer and will feature a number of sporting and dance events. A mini Common- wealth Games event is to be held in the Shetland Islands as part of the initiative, which will involve all 32 Scottish local councils and aims to bring together people from across the country.


Sport Unlimited achieves landmark Nearly 500,000 young people


have taken part in Sport Unlimited, a programme aiming to get more youngsters playing sport outside of school. Since its launch last year, thousands of activities have been delivered across a wide range of traditional and less well-known sports including football, climbing, skiing, kayaking and parkour.


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