In just over six months residents in Luton will be able to use a brand new £26 million sports centre.
On Wednesday, it was officially revealed to be named as Inspire: Luton Sports Village.
Reporter SOPHIE SCOTT took a tour of the site.
Construction is now 67 weeks into a 91-week project and anyone who drives along Hitchin Road can’t have failed to spot the immense structure which has now taken form on Stopsley Common.
While there is no equipment in the building yet, each area of the ‘sports village’ is clearly defined and it is not hard to imagine people in each room, filled with noise and activity.
Standing in the pool, the 10 metre high diving board seems an impossible height. But, Mark Turnstall, Wates’ project manager, said when they did a test run and filled the pool with four million litres of water needed for the 50 metre pool, it did seem a less intimidating height.
The swimming pool is the main attraction of this venue. At competition length, and seating in the stands for 400 people, national events can be held here and it will be one of the few in the country, and only one in the region, with an international standard diving board.
There is also a dry-dive area where diving athletes can train.
But it is not just swimming. The centre, which will be run by the Active Luton trust on behalf of the council, will have dance studios, a sports hall, spinning room, gym and a community pool which will have a moveable floor to cater for different groups.
‘Inspire’, the just-announced name, was picked for its obvious connotations, as leader of Luton council, Hazel Simmons, explained: “The reason for the name is that is what the building is about - inspiring people to get involved in sport.
“Whatever it is people want to do they can do it here. Luton has some health inequalities that we are focused on. There is a growth in childhood obesity. The more people that can get involved in sport, the better. Families can come together.
“More than anything else, this is a fantastic, iconic building which no one can miss on the way into Luton from Hitchin. People can see Luton’s image is changing.”
The impressive building represents a new, modern facility for the town, and in turn Luton Borough Council’s plans for the future of the town - or would-be city.
A website for Inspire: Luton Sports Village was also launched this week, where you can find out more information about the project, www.inspireluton.co.uk
