Work has started on a £4.4 million swimming pool and leisure centre in Halstead.

Braintree Council chairman Kathy Tearle put on a hard hat and joined Bob Leach, site manager with Jacksons Construction, to cut the first turf of the new leisure centre in Colne Road, Halstead.

Mrs Tearle thanked members of Braintree Council's sports centre project committee and project manager Ashley Bartlett for their hard work.

She said: "This sports centre is going to be of huge benefit to the community. It's really good for Halstead and a fantastic facility for the whole district.

Halstead mayor Malcolm Fincken said: "It's very exciting. This is a dream we have had in Halstead for many years which is finally becoming reality."

The sports centre will include an indoor 25-metre, five-lane swimming pool, a fitness room, creche, tennis courts, floodlit multi-use games area and hockey-size synthetic pitch at the Colne Road site.

The tennis courts are hoped to be completed by March, ready for use throughout the summer with the full leisure centre opening later in the year.

Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003

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