Reopening of revamped leisure centre delayed

The reopening of a revamped leisure centre has been delayed due to "complicated" maintenance work.

Durham County Council said it had updated the heating system at Teesdale Leisure Centre in Barnard Castle to make it more energy efficient.

The refurbished centre will also feature a new soft play area and a gym with power-assisted equipment for people who need support after returning to exercise or who are recovering from an injury.

The council said the centre, which shut in February and was due to reopen in October, would now open its doors on 18 November.

James Rowlandson, cabinet member for resources, investment, and assets, said: "This has been a complex and challenging project to not only make improvements to facilities for customers, but to carry out a lot of behind-the-scenes maintenance work.

"This includes completely transforming the centre's heating and mechanical systems to improve the building's energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions."

Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].