Tarka Leisure Centre is a leisure centre in Barnstaple, Devon, England.

Tarka Leisure Centre
Map
General information
Town or cityBarnstaple
CountryUK
Coordinates51°4′19.93″N 4°3′25.65″W / 51.0722028°N 4.0571250°W / 51.0722028; -4.0571250
Construction startedSeptember 2020
Opened24 June 2022 (2022-06-24)
Design and construction
Architecture firmWatson Batty Architects
Main contractorSpeller Metcalfe

History

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Plans to close North Devon Leisure Centre and construct a new centre adjacent to the Tarka Tennis site were abandoned in February 2009 as they were deemed too expensive at the time.[1]

Construction on a replacement leisure centre finally began in September 2020.[2] The main contractor was Speller Metcalfe and the building was designed by Watson Batty Architects.[3] The building was built adjacent to the former Tennis Centre to form one large facility.[4][5] North Devon Leisure Centre remained open until the completion of the new leisure centre.[6] The facility was opened on 24 June 2022 by Eddie the Eagle.[7]

Facilities

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The leisure centre contains a 25-metre (82-foot) swimming pool with eight lanes and a 20-metre (66-foot) swimming pool with four lanes. Both pools have a moveable floor. It also contains an "endless" indoor ski slope, the first of its type in Devon. Additionally, it contains sports halls, a gym, indoor and outdoor soft play areas, and a cafe.[8]

It is operated by Parkwood Leisure.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Tuchscherer, Luke (19 February 2009). "Barnstaple leisure centre plans abandoned". Leisure Opportunities. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Work begins on North Devon's new leisure centre". North Devon Council. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Tarka Leisure Centre". Watson Batty. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  4. ^ a b Preston-Ellis, Rom (18 February 2020). "New £14m Barnstaple leisure centre is one step closer". DevonLive. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Steel provides leisure boost" (PDF). New Steel Construction. Vol. 29, no. 4. pp. 20–21. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  6. ^ Clark, Daniel (1 March 2021). "Work on endless ski slope leisure centre remains on schedule". DevonLive. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  7. ^ Davis, Alex (24 June 2022). "Eddie the Eagle opens major new leisure centre". DevonLive. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  8. ^ Wyllie, Ami (25 March 2022). "Barnstaple's 'boring' new leisure centre slammed". DevonLive. Retrieved 20 September 2022.