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 | 
