Tarka Leisure Centre is a leisure centre in Barnstaple, Devon, England.
| Tarka Leisure Centre | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Town or city | Barnstaple |
| Country | UK |
| Coordinates | 51°4′19.93″N 4°3′25.65″W / 51.0722028°N 4.0571250°W |
| Construction started | September 2020 |
| Opened | 24 June 2022 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Watson Batty Architects |
| Main contractor | Speller Metcalfe |
History
editPlans 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
editThe 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
edit- ^ Tuchscherer, Luke (19 February 2009). "Barnstaple leisure centre plans abandoned". Leisure Opportunities. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ "Work begins on North Devon's new leisure centre". North Devon Council. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ "Tarka Leisure Centre". Watson Batty. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ a b Preston-Ellis, Rom (18 February 2020). "New £14m Barnstaple leisure centre is one step closer". DevonLive. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ "Steel provides leisure boost" (PDF). New Steel Construction. Vol. 29, no. 4. pp. 20–21. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ Clark, Daniel (1 March 2021). "Work on endless ski slope leisure centre remains on schedule". DevonLive. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ Davis, Alex (24 June 2022). "Eddie the Eagle opens major new leisure centre". DevonLive. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ Wyllie, Ami (25 March 2022). "Barnstaple's 'boring' new leisure centre slammed". DevonLive. Retrieved 20 September 2022.