Demolition dates set for old Queen’s Park Sports Centre

Demolition of the old Queen’s Park Sports Centre will start in January.

Earlier this year Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee approved the demolition of the building, in Boythorpe Road, which has been empty since the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre opened in January.

Following a procurement process the council has appointed a contractor to carry out the demolition work in January. It will take between three and four months to complete.

The news comes as the council has published the results of a public consultation into the future use of the site. More than 580 people responded over a six week period during September and October.

The council’s preferred option, outlined in the consultation, is to use the site to house 3G multi-use games pitches that will help meet an identified shortage of these facilities in the borough, as well as support the council’s priority of getting more people to lead fit and active lifestyles.

During the consultation residents were asked for their views on this option and to consider other viable alternatives. Any options suggested had to meet four principles that the site use should:

• Generate income and not cost council taxpayers any extra money
• Support Council Plan objectives to improve the quality of life for local people, support a thriving borough, and deliver value for money
• Complement Queen’s Park, with its grade two star heritage listing, and other facilities in the town centre and borough
• Be well-used throughout the year and provide added value for the community

Of the people who responded 69 per cent agreed with the suggestion of using the site for 3G pitches, with 23 per cent disagreeing and eight per cent giving no view.

Of the other suggestions made 22 of the 583 respondents suggested building an exhibition hall, with 21 people proposing a water play area and ice rink respectively.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said:-

“I am pleased that we are now in a position to start demolishing the old sports centre.

“While that takes place we will consider in detail the consultation responses and investigate how well they meet the four criteria we are working to when considering future options for the site.

“It is really important that whatever we agree fits in with the heritage and leisure use of the site but is also financially viable so that it doesn’t have to be subsidised by council tax payers’.