• Community event: Thursday 9 June, 2022 | 6pm – 8pm | Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre

• Spaces are limited – those who cannot attend can respond online (consultation to be published HERE on Friday, June 10)

The future of Hermitage Recreation Ground and the former leisure centre site in Whitwick will be up for discussion at a community feedback event next Thursday (June 9).

The meeting, at the new Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre from 6pm – 8pm, will ask local people, community groups and sports teams to give their feedback on proposals for the site that have been developed following previous consultations.

However, pre-publicity for the event from North West Leicestershire District Council has already suggested that the Hermitage will be demolished due to the cost of re-using the building - which could rise to £2million.

A number of alternative uses have been suggested - with a sports and leisure-based ideas listed.

But possibility of new houses being built there is also a consideration - although the council says this would be to 'fund further investment in recreation'.

The former Hermitage building has been boarded up since closing in February.

The council says paces are limited, so those who would like to attend are asked to register by emailing [email protected].

An online consultation will be available from Friday, June 10, for those unable to attend.

Former leisure centre site

The council explains that, following the opening of the new leisure centre in February, the former centre has been closed and decommissioned.

It adds: "Structural surveys have been completed on the site, showing that the building is no longer fit for public use.

"It would take at least £2 million just to bring it up to safe standards.

"Subject to approval by councillors at North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), the building is likely to be demolished, making way for new investment on the leisure centre site and recreation ground.

"The investment proposals are based on the results of previous consultation with stakeholders and the community. 

"The council now wants to hear the public view on the proposals for the site – and where any possible investment should be spent."

Current ideas for possible investment

Ideas currently on the table include:

• A new community centre with café
• Ecology park
• Community orchard
• Nature trails
• Running circuit
• Skate park / urban sports zone
• Retention of free car parking
• The possibility of some residential on the former leisure centre site to fund further investment in recreation there.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: "With the new leisure centre open and thriving, we now want to look at how we can invest in the recreation ground for the community, linking this great site through to the new leisure centre and beyond.

"Our consultation in 2019 told us that most people wanted us to invest in outdoor recreation facilities that were free or cheap, and available for all parts of the community.

"We want to sense check that feedback by showing some options and really understanding what matters to local people.

"If you can't get to the event on June 9, I'd encourage you to take park in our online consultation, to give your feedback.

"The site has the potential to be a great asset to the community – and we want to make sure we're investing the funds we have in the right way."

The suggestion that the building could be pulled down is unlikely to sit well with the Coalville Community and Neighbours Group which has proposed using the building as a cafe and the old swimming pool as an indoor skate park.

Pupils from Coalville's Castle Rock School have also given their support in the form of a video and open letter to the District Council, saying the building could be brought back into use.

Coalville CAN has said that any relaunch of the Hermitage Centre would not crossover with activities at the new £22million Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre.