Middleton Arena opens to public acclaim

The people of Middleton love their new Arena and that’s official. “Wow”, “incredible” and “fantastic” were the comments of the day as thousands flocked through the doors to take possession of one of the best New Year presents the town has ever seen.

The impressive 25 metre six lane pool was officially Christened by local Olympic heroine, Keri-Anne Payne who added her congratulations to Middleton. “It is great to see new pools like this new one at Middleton which do so much to encourage children particularly to take up swimming as their sport of choice. With all the other facilities here at the Arena it’s a fantastic new centre.”

At the end of the first busy day of opening, Craig McAteer Link4Life Managing Director said: “People started to arrive early just after 8am for the first pool session and then there was a steady and constant stream of people using the fitness centre, pool and sports facilities. Including our two pre-opening days for members and groups we estimate around 7000 people have come through the doors to tour or use the centre.”

He went on to speak about how the Arena compares to other facilities in the area, “Link4Life is a social enterprise and as providers of cultural and leisure services on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council, our shared aim is to provide services that are widely accessible to all the community. A fitness member will have full access to the gyms, pool and around 65 aquatics and fitness classes every week for around 80 pence a day with further savings available for our Passport to Leisure members.”

Chairman of Middleton Township, Councillor Peter Williams, was one of the first to take to the pool. Interviewed beforehand he said: “Architecturally this is a first class building that has been equipped inside to a very high standard. Now that the Arena is open there is a real feeling of excitement in the air and I’m sure it will draw in many new people to take advantage of the facilities.”

The quality of the facilities was a recurring theme throughout the day as users gave their feedback. “It’s like being on holiday at Centre Parcs”, said one excited squash player about the standard of the semi-sprung floor and pristine new court. Many others commented on the clarity of the water in the pool and the standard of finish in the changing rooms. The special wow factor however, came from everyone who entered the auditorium for the first time and this new 500 seat theatre has been universally acclaimed as having the feel of the Lowry or the Bridgewater Hall.

Link4Life Trustee, and Vice-Chair of Middleton Township, Councillor Terry Linden paid tribute to the work of the staff who worked throughout the Christmas and New Year period to get the Arena open on time. “We took delivery of the keys from the contractor on 22 December and in two shorts weeks, with bank holidays, in between, the Link4Life team have worked nothing short of a miracle. We have recorded the many positive comments that people have made over the opening weekend and the Arena is something that the whole town can be proud of.”

Also visiting the Arena on Sunday was architect, Peter Jenkins who said: “It was extremely encouraging to see the building in use for the first time. It was a suitable tribute to all the people who have contributed to the development of the project over the last 10 years”

The Middleton Arena, with final costs totalling nearly £15 million, is made up of five main areas – aquatics, fitness, racquets, entertainment and sports. Work will start shortly to clear the site of the former leisure and civic buildings in the town centre to make way for the £10 million new Tesco Extra store which is due to open early in 2010.

Talking about the positive future for Middleton, Councillor Peter Williams said: “I am sure that now we have the Middleton Arena we will see long-term improvements in the health and well-being of the whole community. With Tesco’s commitment to local recruitment as well as the plans to develop the outdoor market, we can also look forward to continued successes in terms of regeneration and employment and that is where Township will continue to focus to drive forward future investment in the town.”

Forthcoming events at the Arena include a Northern Soul All-Nighter, a Valentine’s Day 1940s Swing Night, the Halle Youth Orchestra, ‘Hello Dolly’ from St Thomas More AODS, American Wrestling, and the boroughwide health fair ‘LiveLife 2009’. Local schools are already booking the 2009 pantomime Sleeping Beauty.

Over 9000 people toured the arena last Friday and Saturday and 9200 free coffees were served.

The Sunday opening frantic was covered by ITV, (Broadcast Sunday with Kerry Anne Payne and Peter Williams) and BBC Manchester.

To date 1924 new members have signed up.