Minister for Immigration, and local MP Robert Jenrick visited Bingham Arena Leisure Centre and Enterprise Centre to explore the new £20 million addition to the town.
Accompanied by Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Cllr Simon Robinson, Lex Leisure partners and Council officers, Jenrick was first given a tour of the £13 million leisure centre followed by a visit to the new offices adjacent to Bingham Arena.
The project received £1.675 million of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
Jenrick was previously Secretary of State at The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government which is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.
New Bingham Arena and leisure centre
The leisure centre is managed by Lex Leisure and hosts a new 25 metre six lane swimming pool, teaching pool, fitness centre, spin and exercise studios, café and community hall.
It is the first facility locally to welcome significant swimming galas, competitions and events, thanks to a 330-seater swimming pool spectating area, presenting new opportunities with swim instructors qualified to Swim England standard.
Bingham Jubilee Community Hall was also a tour highlight featuring a stage and space for audiences up to 300 people so named to celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. The community hall is courtesy of part-funding from D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and support from Bingham Town Council.
New enterprise centre
The Ministerial visit also looked around the brand-new offices at the Enterprise Centre which are courtesy of funding from the European Regional Development Fund and Local Growth Funding from D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
The 12 self-contained, high spec fibre-connected office suites over two floors range in size from 47 square metres (506 square feet) to 108 square metres (1,163 square feet) and in under two months of opening, the Council has secured 11 out of the 12 tenants.
Now local businesses from across a range of industries including IT providers, care home head office, architect firm, facilities management, tech and software developer, social media agency, building control and more are settling into the building.
New homes
During the visit to the town, the Minister also visited Romans’ Quarter new housing development on a site tour.
The major development will create 1,050 houses, employment opportunities and facilities for the community with the first residents having moved in in July 2019.
Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Cllr Simon Robinson said: “We’re pleased to welcome The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP to the Borough and present some of our outstanding facilities and major housing developments taking place.
“Bingham Arena is a wonderful new venue that provides contemporary facilities the local community can be proud of at the heart of one of our growing towns.
“Crucially in line with our Carbon Clever priorities, the building has a 78% carbon emission reduction compared to other leisure centres locally. It’s vital we set an example for others to follow in investing in new infrastructure in the right way.
“The Enterprise Centre already has eight occupants and three more are set to move in within the next couple of months which is fantastic.
“We completed research prior that found there was a big demand for businesses who wanted to stay in the town so the twelve new office spaces on site will help to retain local talent.
“Rushcliffe is a great place to live, and we have a lot to be proud of so I’m delighted to have this opportunity to showcase some of our major developments which play a key role in our economic growth.”
Commenting on the visit, Minister for Immigration, Robert Jenrick MP said: “I’m incredibly impressed by the facilities available here at Bingham Arena.
“Rushcliffe Borough Council and everyone involved have done an amazing job overseeing this major development to fruition.
“Bingham is a fast-growing town and I’m pleased it has the leisure facilities it deserves.
“During my visit, I was hugely impressed with the friendly and helpful staff and it’s great to see everyone enjoying and making use of the facilities.
“I was also particularly impressed by the Enterprise Centre. I don’t want Bingham to be a large commuter town. I want there to be opportunities for jobs and local entrepreneurs for successful businesses.
“There has been a lack of commercial space here for a long time and these new offices enable businesses to grow and thrive and employ local people close to home.”