Latest news with #leisurecomplex
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Campaigners petition to save Elephant leisure centre in Coventry
A petition has been launched to reopen and restore a city centre leisure Elephant in Coventry, so-called because of its shape, was built in the 1970s and closed in February 2020 due to spiralling maintenance and repair BBC has previously reported that the site continues to cost Coventry City Council about £400,000 a year to Husain, who set up the petition, said: "People's needs aren't being met with The Elephant being closed. Sports facilities in the city aren't easily accessible for everyone if they have to travel out of the city centre. "The Elephant can be so much more, and we hope more people sign the petition and show up for their city," he Jardin ran No Strings Badminton at the leisure centre, which included an Olympic-sized swimming pool. He said: "I used to get so many people from different ages and backgrounds."It makes me feel sad just looking at it with all the rust, and I just hope that someone out there can liven it up, because it is a beautiful building."I would say there's a shortage of sports facilities in the city."The petition will run until 14 September council have been contacted for their views on the petition. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Oxford leisure park science lab plan revised after criticism
Plans to replace a popular leisure complex in Oxford with science laboratories have been revised following widespread Pioneer Group and landowner Firoka Group had originally proposed demolishing facilities at the Grenoble Road site next to the Kassam Stadium, including the Vue Cinema and Hollywood updated plans now include a new cinema, bowling alley and restaurants to replace those previously earmarked for demolition, alongside new research developers also plan to restore the pre-existing Priory pub, describing the scheme as an opportunity to "reinvigorate the entire site". Residents will be able to provide feedback and ask questions about the new proposals during a drop-in event at the site on 16 July between 14:00 and 19:00 BST. Under the updated plans, new "world class facilities" for the life science sector will still be team behind the Ozone Reimagined scheme said the development would create 1,900 new jobs, from entry-level positions to technical and research Latham, Pioneer Group's director, said: "We've worked hard to shape what we believe is an exciting future for this important site."We've heard from many people about how much the Ozone Leisure Park and the Priory Pub mean to the community."This scheme not only safeguards valued leisure facilities and brings the Priory back into use but also offers an opportunity to reinvigorate the entire site – creating more jobs, green spaces, restaurants and cafes."A spokesperson for Firoka Group added: "We are excited to be progressing these proposals for the Ozone Leisure Park – a site that, in its current form, is no longer sustainable."The site is currently home to a Vue Cinema, Hollywood Bowl, as well as bars and restaurants. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Work to start on Great Harwood leisure complex's £400,000 revamp
Initial work to transform a leisure complex in Lancashire will begin later this £400,000 project at Mercer Hall in Great Harwood will include asbestos assessments and the drawing up of technical designs to accommodate new flooring and furnishings in the main hall and front features of the renovation will be the reinstatement of the grand doors which lead into the hall, and the addition of a new dance community groups hope to be able to start using the hall from December. 'Historic building' Mercer Hall was built between 1913 and Council decided in 2022 to permanently close its swimming pool in favour of a new purpose-built £12m leisure centre at Wilson Playing Fields in new facility is due to open in Hall's gym will close when the new complex opens, the Local Democracy Reporting Service Council's deputy leader and leisure boss, Councillor Melissa Fisher, said Mercer Hall was a "much-loved community landmark".She said: "It's wonderful to know that these efforts will ensure the people of Great Harwood can continue enjoying this historic building for many years to come."Mercer Hall, on Queen Street, is named after scientist John Mercer, who came from the town and invented a treatment to improve the quality of cotton fabric. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
