A new multi-million pound leisure centre will be up and running by 2001, it was revealed today.

The Phoenix project in Abingdon will now definitely go ahead after being given unanimous support at a full meeting of the Vale of White Horse District Council.

There had been some concerns about extra costs the Vale would incur by choosing to build on derelict land rather than a greenfield site - but the council has now been told a Government body will meet the shortfall.

The leisure centre, being built to replace the existing Old Gaol, will provide 8,576sq metres of recreation, sports and leisure facilities.

It will be built in two phases on the Abingdon Science Park - with work costing as much as £10m.

Facilities will include a 25-metre eight-lane swimming pool, learner pool, six indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a health and fitness centre and a large sports hall.

English Partnerships - a Government quango set up to support regeneration - has offered to help the council pay for preliminary work needed on the site.

Peter Cusdin, English Partnerships' senior development executive for the south east, said: "I am delighted our investment in this scheme will be assisting with the removal of an eyesore, by putting this derelict site into beneficial use."

Karen White, chief leisure services officer at the Vale, said: "The support of English Partnerships, the sixth partner in this exciting scheme, is tremendous news and means work can start on site."

The Vale has been keen to replace the inadequate and outdated Old Gaol centre, sited in a Grade II 19th century prison.

Vale councillor Jerry Patterson said: "Abingdon is twice the size it was when the Old Gaol was opened."

Story date: Saturday 20 February

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