news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk Plymouth set for new climbing facility


£46.5m Life Centre to incorporate five areas designed for climbers of all abilities By Pete Hayman


Designs for the new climbing walls and aerial assault course that will comprise part of Plymouth's £46.5m Life Centre have been revealed. The leisure development will


feature five areas – three climbing walls, a bouldering area and an aerial assault course – to provide facilities for beginners and elite climbers. Under the plans, there will


be a total of 870sq m (9,365sq ft) of climbing area at the facility - one of the largest of its type in the south west region. Entre-prises (UK) will supply


the equipment to fit out the Life Centre, which is to feature a 16m (52.5ft) competition wall, a 6m (19.7ft) novice wall and a 4m (13.1ft) bouldering wall.


Welsh scheme nets EU funding


Plans for the creation of a new £6.5m sports and entertainment venue in Colwyn Bay have been given a funding boost by the European Union (EU). Parc Eirias Events


Centre has received £4.8m from the Welsh Assembly Government towards the creation of a new home for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru/ North Wales Rugby. The package features


contributions from the European Regional Development Fund; the Strategic Regeneration Area fund; and the Targeted Match Fund. Plans include a centre


of sporting excellence, featuring a pitch built to Welsh Rugby Union International Standard.


© Cybertrek 2010 IN BRIEF


Enfield leisure centre plans go on show Enfield Council and operator


The climbing facility will comprise five areas inside the Life Centre A 10m (32.8ft) section of


wall replicating granite rock features of nearby Dartmoor and sea cliffs will also be constructed, as well as a 26m (85.3ft) high-ropes course with six elements. Peter Brookshaw, cabinet


member for leisure, culture and


sport at Plymouth City Council, said: "Climbing is for everyone and the great thing about these facilities at the Plymouth Life Centre is that they will have a multi-functional use. Balfour Beatty is delivering


the Life Centre, which is to open in September 2011.


'No drop' in elite athlete funding


Fusion Lifestyle have launched an eight-week public consultation into a proposed revamp of the borough's leisure facilities. Nearly £9m will be invested by the council in a bid to improve facilities at Southgate Leisure Centre, Albany Leisure Centre and Bramley Bowls Centre in Oakwood by June 2012. Display boards outlining artists' impressions for the sites have been put on display, while residents and users can comment on the plans using cards in reception areas.


Work starts on Hampshire centre Hampshire County Council has


announced the start of work to build a new £6.1m outdoor adventure centre for young people at Runways End near Farnborough. The council, in partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council and the Blackwater Valley District Scout Association, secured funding for the scheme from the government. Designed to offer educational and recreational opportunities, the centre will include an 8-acre (3.2-hectare) woodland adjacent to Basingstoke Canal and a climbing and abseiling tower.


Robertson confirmed support for elite athletes ahead of Rio 2016 By Pete Hayman


Sports minister Hugh Robert- son has said that an increase in Lottery funding post-2012 will ensure there will be 'no drop' in support for elite athletes. Robertson admitted that


direct government funding will be cut, but said £111m is to be available for athletes ahead of the 2016 Olympics. The minister met with the


National Olympic Committee –


the British Olympic Associa- tion's (BOA) policy-making body – to discuss elite and grassroots legacy planning. Formal announcements are


due to be made on various legacy proposals by the end of the year, which will set out the impact on sports before and after London 2012. Robertson said: "We had told


Olympic sports we would do everything in our power to protect elite athlete funding."


NKDC to pursue new £6.5m Sleaford facility North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) has resolved to pursue plans for a new £6.5m leisure centre in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, in order to replace an existing facility. The executive board has recommended that full council agrees in principal to progress the proposals, which would see a new-build venue located on the site of the current Sleaford Leisure Centre. It follows a feasibility study into the future of leisure provision in Sleaford.


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