Demolition of old leisure centre hit by fire to be completed this month

The demolition of a former leisure centre that was destroyed by arsonists is on track to be completed by the end of the month.

A temporary structure has been built around the former Grove Leisure Centre on London Road, Balderton, while the demolition work takes place.

A huge fire engulfed the disused centre on Friday, September 15, which was tackled by 50 firefighters at its height.

The original timetable for demolition of the building started in July with complicated asbestos removal, and work was due to be completed by the end of last year.

A spokesman for Kier, which is carrying out the demolition, said: “We have installed a temporary structure over the Grove Leisure Centre site to ensure all materials are contained while we clear the remaining rubble and structure.

“The programme of works remains on track with the whole site scheduled to be cleared by the end of January.”

The former leisure centre, built in 1968, has been empty since April 2016, after Newark and Sherwood District Council moved facilities to the £9.4m Newark Sports and Fitness Centre, off Bowbridge Road.

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