At the beginning of December 2008 a specially-convened meeting of North Dorset District Council agreed to release the balance of £4 million set aside to rebuild the leisure centre to The Three Rivers Partnership. This sum is enough to complete the first part of the refurbishment and remodelling programme, and we are aiming to have the sports facilities open on 31 March 2010, exactly two years after the centre was closed.
The new RiversMeet Centre will have a competition standard 25-metre, 6-lane swimming pool, much improved changing facilities, an enlarged sports hall big enough to accommodate four badminton courts and a great fitness suite.
The RiversMeet Centre will also incorporate multi-purpose rooms suitable for activities such as T'ai Chi, Karate and dance as well as meetings.
A community centre is also planned, but we, the community have to raise funds for that, and it will probably be another couple of years before building starts on this phase. Currently the plan is to have a hall capable of seating about 400 in "bleacher" style seating that can be pushed back to the wall so that the hall can be used for many different activities. We envisage shows, cinema, concerts, specialist markets, conferences, dances, dance classes - the list is endless! There will, of course, be a licensed bar, and there will be a cafe linked to the foyer and the viewing areas. This will have wi-fi access.
Later in 2009 we will be announcing membership prices, and people will be able to take out membership prior to the centre opening its doors in Spring 2010.
