Demolition of old Grove Leisure Centre to start on Monday

Demolition of a former leisure centre is set to start on Monday in preparation for future redevelopment on the site.

The Grove Leisure Centre building, on London Road, Balderton, has been empty since April last year after Newark and Sherwood District Council moved facilities to the £9.4m Newark Sports and Fitness Centre, off Bowbridge Road.

Nottinghamshire County Coun-cil, which owns the Grove site, has appointed the Kier Group to carry out the demolition and site clearance, scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

Demolition plans were initially delayed by vandalism, which disturbed dormant asbestos used in the original construction, making the site inaccessible until it was made safe.

All asbestos will be removed in a controlled way before work starts on pulling down the buildings.

A future use for the site is yet to be determined.

'An unwanted eyesore'

The leader of the county council, Kay Cutts, said: “The Grove Leisure Centre served the residents of Newark and Balderton extremely well since opening in 1968, but is an ageing building that is no longer fit-for-purpose and has become an unwanted eyesore.

“Demolition means that the area can be made safe in the short-term and presents an exciting opportunity for a much-needed redevelopment of the site.

“Any new development will require planning permission and will be subject to a comprehensive consultation with local people and other stakeholders.”

Newark Sports and Fitness Centre includes an 850sq m fitness suite — approximately 2½ times larger than the Grove fitness suite — a 25m swimming pool, 20m teaching pool, four badminton-court sports hall, two group exercise studios, two glass-backed squash courts, and a soft play area.