Catherine has expressed her delight at today’s announcement that her campaign for a new, state of the art Leisure Centre in the Outer West of Newcastle has been successful.

The new £22 million Outer West Leisure Centre will include a swimming pool, sports hall, and gym, as well as a café, library, and community space. It replaces West Denton Pool, which closed last year due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement came alongside the Budget Statement as the Government announce the first round of successful bids to its ‘Levelling up Fund’.

Catherine worked with Newcastle City Council to develop the bid, and has consistently pressed Ministers, including the Prime Minister himself, to back the new Leisure Centre in Parliament.

Catherine said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled that our campaign for a new, £22m state of the art Leisure Centre in the Outer West of Newcastle has been successful. I want to thank all residents who signed my petition and supported the campaign.

 I’ve pressed Ministers, including the Prime Minister himself, at every opportunity to back this bid and I’m really grateful the Government has got on board.

 We were all sad to see the closure of the much-valued West Denton Pool last year, but this new centre will ensure residents in the Outer West have access to a swimming pool, ultra-modern sports facilities, as well as a café, library, and community space

 As well as being potentially transformational for health outcome, the Centre can act as an anchor in the local community, attracting more residents to nearby services including the Outer West Library and playing an important part in rejuvenating the local area.”