The key to a healthy Middleton
£13 million Arena completed in time for New Year

Middleton’s impressive new £13 million sport and entertainment centre in the heart of the town centre has been officially handed over and will open its doors in the New Year.

The 7,300 sq m Middleton Arena will provide quality sports and entertainment facilities for the area including two swimming pools, sports hall, exercise and fitness studios as well as a fully equipped performance and concert hall with seating for 500.

This exciting new facility is the result of a deal negotiated by Rochdale Development Agency and Rochdale Borough Council with Tesco. Construction firm Barr officially handed the keys over to Link4Life , the Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust, who will manage the new centre on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council.

Tesco will start construction of a new store in the New Year - in place of the former leisure and civic centres - that will create around 220 new local jobs.

Councillor Peter Williams, chair of Middleton Township Committee at Rochdale Borough Council said: “The Arena is fantastic news for local people, who have been looking forward to the new facilities for some time. The Arena will encourage residents to be fit and healthy and provides a first class regional entertainment venue.”

Vice Chair of Middleton Township Committee, Councillor Terry Linden said: “These new facilities put Middleton head and shoulders above its closest neighbours and we have something that everyone in the town can be proud of, use and enjoy.”

Councillor Mohammad Sharif, Cabinet Member for Regeneration added: “The Arena is part of a whole package of plans to regenerate Middleton that also includes new housing, retail developments and environmental improvements.”

An official ceremony and public opening event will take place during 2009.

The Arena and store form part of a masterplan created by Rochdale Development Agency to revive the town centre and follows the £4.5 million replacement of the town’s bus station and extension to the shopping centre.

John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency, said: “The new Arena along with other developments including the Tesco store will help to create and safeguard jobs and make Middleton more attractive for local residents and visitors.”

The Arena’s sporting facilities include a 90 station fitness centre with dance and exercise studio and separate circuit gym. An extensive range of weekly classes will be available along with training sessions for young people and a youth gym for eight to 16 year olds. The Arena also boasts squash courts, a four court sports hall and a 25 metre six-lane swimming pool with large separate teaching pool and spectator seating.

Link4Life Managing Director Craig McAteer, said: “This is a top quality centre for the local community and residents have already been joining up at an impressive rate. We can’t wait to open our doors on January 4th and enter 2009 in style.”

For further information contact Gayle Nicol, IPB Communications, tel 0161 976 1414 email gayle.nicol@ipbcommunications.co.uk