PLANS for a £1m leisure centre part-funded by money left over from a cancelled community centre refurbishment are progressing well, the developing group has claimed.

Crook Community Partnership has issued an update on their plans to build a new facility in Crook using £500,000 originally allocated to the redevelopment of the Elite Hall in the town.

The money was awarded to the partnership by a controversial public vote in February which caused anger among other community groups and residents who said the money should have been divided among multiple organisations.

But the team behind the new leisure centre said the gym and function room will be a big boost to the town and bring much needed facilities back to Crook.

The town has been without a leisure centre since Durham County Council closed Glenholme gym and swimming pool in October, 2011, following budget cuts.

A spokesman for Crook Community Partnership and their project partners Spectrum Leisure and Management (Slam), who run the Spectrum Leisure Centre in Willington, said: “We’ve met with senior officers at Durham County Council, planning, assets and sport and leisure.

“The project is receiving support from the town, support organisations, but importantly from Durham County Council officers.”

The partnership said the new gym would be eco-friendly and they hope to provide work to local people both during the build and when it is open.

The spokesman said: “We have had interest shown from eco-friendly contractors who are looking at the architecture, build and design. “We’ve spoken to builders, who are keen to work with us, and employ local people for the build.

“Our aim is to provide something that will benefit the largest number of people in Crook.”

It is not yet known when plans will formally be submitted but under the terms of the funding, the project needs to have started, or be close to starting, within the next 12 months.

The group, which has secured £386,000 from other sources with a further £100,000 still being sought for the project, has identified the site of the former infant’s school on Croft Avenue as their chosen place to build.