Future of leisure on shopping list

THE site of the new town-centre leisure centre set to open in 2014 has been revealed.

Oldham Council has exchanged contracts to purchase the Aldi supermarket at the Eagle Street/Manchester Street junction.

The state-of-the-art facility will include a 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool, a learner pool, fitness gym, four-court sports hall, an indoor bowling hall and two dance/exercise studios and a café.

The 1.09-acre site will be vacated when Aldi’s new store at Westwood opens next month.

The new leisure centre will replace Oldham Sports Centre in 2014 — the latter will close only when the replacement is open.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “The Aldi site is an excellent location. The initial specification is a minimum starting point for us to work on developing a design. We are committed to getting the most out of the site.”