Tarka Leisuire Centre

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

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

History

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

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
  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. 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.
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