Leisure site plan revealed
Oswestry's new leisure complex will be completed in three phases as funding becomes available. Plans for the scheme have been submitted to the borough council.
Proposals for the Oswald Park development include an active lifestyle centre, which would replace Oswestry's existing ageing centre deemed beyond repair.
The application for phase one is for an active lifestyle centre on 23 acres of land on Shrewsbury Road, next to the Walford and North Shropshire College.
Proposals for the entire project include the healthy living centre, landscaped open parkland, recreational grass sports pitches, informal play areas, a skateboard and BMX park, children's play facilities, a running track, a multi-use games area and artificial turf pitch.
In the application, Saville Jones Architects says: "Whilst there are sites that might be suitable for the proposed development, the only site that is suitable, viable and sufficiently accessible to accommodate the proposed development in its entirety is land north of the Shrewsbury Road."
The first phase includes the active lifestyle centre and is expected to be completed at a cost of £5.5 million. It will include car parking for 130 vehicles and a children's play area.
Phase two will see the provision of grass playing pitches and phase three will include the all-weather pitches.
If given the green light Oswestry's existing leisure centre would close its doors after more than 30 years.
The leisure centre has approximately 200,000 customers per year and the Oswald Park development is expected to generate similar traffic numbers.