More parking spaces for Newark Sports and Fitness Centre

The carpark at Newark Sports and Fitness Centre will be expanded so it can meet demand at peak times.

An extra 62 spaces will be added at an estimated cost of £205,500.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s policy and finance committee approved the scheme after hearing that demand had been higher than anticipated, with cars parking along the access road at peak times.

Demand is also likely to further increase due to construction of nearby homes, and the planned creation of a YMCA Sports and Community Village next to the leisure centre.

The sports village, however, will have its own 104 space carpark with another 42 spaces for staff.

The council said it would use the smallest area possible to provide additional spaces at the leisure centre carpark.

This was so it could leave as much land as possible for housing.

Mr David Lloyd, vice-chairman of the committee, said he had heard anecdotally that people did not visit the sports centre because they could not park anywhere near it.

Committee member Mr Tony Roberts said: “This is to be welcomed because it is an indication of the success of the sports centre and it also recognises future use of the land.

“If the rest of it is going to be residential the last thing we want is for them to think their space is going to be taken up by overflow parking.”

Do you agree with the expansion? Are you currently put off visiting the centre due to lack of parking places? Have your say in the comments below.