Robert Woodhead Limited will start work on the much anticipated multi-million pound Creswell Health and Wellbeing Centre later this year.
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.
As soon as Creswell Leisure Centre closed its doors in 2016 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 have been appointed as main contractors 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 our 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.”
What are the benefits?
- To increase the number of people who are active and improve the opportunities for recreation, leisure and learning activities
- To provide more and better community facilities
- To support health benefits through partnership working
- To improve the knowledge of Creswell Crags and its history and increase the number of visits to the attraction
- The only facility of its type in the area
- Local employment, volunteering and apprenticeship opportunities in the leisure industry
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.”
‘community benefits’
One of the key benefits to the new facility is the partnership working that will encourage the community, groups, and health organisations to use it.
The mix of facilities and space available will encourage:
- health groups to take advantage of the activities and healthy eating options provided by the café
- schools to make use of the climbing wall and caving experience where there will be a timeline of the Crags and how it has evolved providing a learning and educational resource whilst the children are active
- families to exercise and stay healthy and active together
- community groups to stage events and activities utilising the main sports hall and café
- traineeship programme to help young people get a foot on the job ladder and pursue a career in the leisure industry
Councillor McGregor added, “We hope that this facility will prove to be the catalyst for collaboration within the Parish and surrounding areas and operated by the community. We want as many groups and organisations to come forward and use the centre and all it will have to offer.
“This is a facility for the community and we feel that we have the right mix and blend of activities and space to make a real difference, not only for the communities of Creswell but the surrounding villages as well. It really is something for the whole community and for all ages.”